"This is no good. We can't meet up with the rest. I'm certain that they would seek out a shelter if possible as well, if they were in a situation like this; which they are."

"Knowing those fools, they are probably right there waiting in the rain."

Although I just said that, I do believe that Rayazaki should be able to dictate that meeting up is impossible. After all, I and Sagasuga are watching the outside scenery from the mine's entrance and it's beyond terrible. I had estimated rain, but not a damn typhoon... A more appropriate saying would be to label this as high winds rather than a typhoon, but the difference isn't vast enough to brag about the spectral differences.

The droplets are razor-sharp even to the point of penetrating this storm forth of wall between the entrance and the outside pandemonium.

I slicked my hair back consecutively as it appeared to be wet before talking to Sagasuga once again; who was self-indulging in envisioning the torrential liquid meltdown.

"We have two choices: We either stay here until the typhoon wears out or we move to the other section."

"You mean; we try to move to the other section."

With just a simple nod, I confirmed the intention of my words.

Two attempts were still on the table here. To be fair, if every mine section contains only three choices, then collecting all the words can lead all to the same fate. The point to emphasize is the improvement of our success, but with only three choices... That could very well not be true.

On my feet, I started to march into the mine once again while descending the stairs that we had first crossed hours ago.

Yet, Sagasuga stood at the entrance while a massive spark of lightning shaded his entirety transiently.

"What? You not coming?"

Going beyond passive-aggressive lightning, static thunder struck the ground far more fearlessly; causing the ground to be its sore victim.

Still, Sagasuga did not move and instead gave almost-silent words back.

"Kawahara, I need an answer now."

I turned my whole back and faced Sagasuga from a 10-meter distance while he maintained a parasitic stance; attaching himself to the entrance for some reason.

What is he playing at?

"What's gotten into you, Sagasuga? Did the lightning hit your head or somethi-"

"Kawahara."

Even though I heard Sagasuga interrupting my sentence, I resumed my walk and sat on one of the stair steps with my back towards Sagasuga.

His footsteps advanced slightly. Noticeably, the atmosphere had become far colder than usual and not even this uniform was doing the trick anymore.

Representing a white shroud; my sigh came forth abstractedly.

"We shouldn't."

Silence once again. So, I continued, despite expecting a retort from Sagasuga who had attached sudden importance towards my decision to the other sector.

"But, the truth is, we also should try. With little to no clues regarding the pattern, we are stuck with a choice to make here. We could wait around and reunite with the others first though."

"Are you going to wait around, Kawahara?"

He's trying to apply pressure onto me by making me make a choice. I shouldn't display that I am aware of this nor should I try to find out why he's trying.

But even so...

"Are you, Sagasuga?"

This time around, I was the one who looked upwards by reversing my torso.

His response was something that I wasn't quite expecting.

"We can't find any clues regarding the pattern unless we take risks. So, no, I'm not going to wait around, Kawahara."

"I see..."

Weakly, I let out a fragile laugh and spoke to him one more time.

"So?"

"So... We should try our luck before it's too late. There's no guarantee that the other guy isn't making his move while we aren't."

"Very true, Sagasuga. Do you have any bright ideas, Sagasuga?"

He started to descend the stairs and soon enough, took the exact same stance as mine; with his torso relaxed all the way to the back even though the edge of the upper stair steps.

"The."

"Ah, that. Two individuals got that word, so the chances are far bigger than the rest if the other words aren't just a replica. Imagine that, four replicas. Ha!"

But that's not true. I know for a fact that Kan's word isn't a replica, but Kuzan and Rayazaki's words are.

"And if it fails?"

"I've already tried my word which is "Ultimate" and failed. If we have no way of knowing how to use the words then we should give it a solid try."

Strangely enough, I do agree with his take here. But if he's luring me into believing that Rayazaki and Kuzan's words are the key to success, then something is very wrong here. If such is the case, then he profits from my defeat.

Considering how he has been acting, I would say that there is a very high chance that he is trying to intentionally manipulate my choice here. If so, then I have to go along with him on the surface.

"I agree, Sagasuga. Though, can I handle the writing of the word?"

"...Sure? What difference does it make anyway? I'm confused now."

"There's really no difference. I just like to take the initiative, so yeah."

"Whatever fits your drill, Kawahara."

I smirked barely and got up from the uncomfortable slopy watery stairs. Then, I started to walk towards the last stop that had forced us to go back to the entrance.

Throughout the entire way, Sagasuga kept a distance of three meters away from me, always lagging behind.

All in all, I am thoroughly glad that he didn't see through my earlier words. Well, he had no way of seeing it through and that's because, under his assumption, we share similar equal power.

Ultimately, we entered the section that had the powering computer with an omnipresent word entry alongside the constant reminder of how many times we had left to try.

Usually, whenever inserting a password, you would either have it on top of your head, or... you would check your memory to remind yourself of what password you would have registered with. In any case, if you don't remember the password, then you would try it over and over; different variations one at a time. Of course, that sort of circumstance is ridiculous here because we only have two tries left.

"What's wrong, Kawahara?"

"Uh, nothing... I think I just..."

"Hm...?"

Now, if you were in front of a computer and you had the knowledge of several passwords; seven in exact; furthermore, there was someone watching you while potentially trying to manipulate the way you insert the results, how would you conduct yourself here?

Right now, in front of the computer, with a forced puzzled superficial look on my face, I stand.

"Oh well, I'll just give it a shot..."

"What are you talking about, Kawahara? Just put the password that we discussed earlier..."

"Yeah, yeah! That one..."

He was growing skeptical second by second.

Let's summon simplicity once more. You had been forced or put in a position where you were left with no choice but to insert a very specific password. The password being: "The". Given that Sagasuga here is attempting to supposedly manipulate the results, what would you do?

Surely, you wouldn't even doubt Sagasuga. In the first place, why would he try to manipulate the results? If he said that he had inserted his password and it failed, then there is no reason to doubt him. Really, really! It's dumb to even consider it.

But, aren't you just missing one crucial factor here?

"Oh, I remembered! It's "The"!"

"Wait, don't tell me you had forgotten?!"

"Sagasuga, you see, the thing about really good long-term memory is that you are blessed with a curse which is... having a really difficult time remembering things that are quite short-termed."

"Really!? I had no idea it worked like that... Well, but now you know. It's exactly as you've said. The."

"Yeah, yeah."

To be honest, I initially had wanted to skip a few steps here, but if I did, then I would be really suspicious, so it's necessary to throw away the first try.

Taking all of this into consideration, I typed three times the word and the result came forth with a resounding alarm; symbolizing a loud denial.

"How unfortunate, Kawahara. It seems that my guess was off..."

"Well, that was to be expected, honestly. Although our chances were high in a sense, they weren't, at the same time. Sigh."

Briefly, I exhaled quite heavily.

Subsequently, Sagasuga said something even more counterproductive to the chain of normalcy swirling within mediocre expectations.

"You know, we are going to have to take more risks, so..."

He's quite emphasizing the word "risks" despite the fact that there is no real clear necessity to go this far. Supposedly, we had wasted three words already. Sagasuga's word. Kuzan's word. Rayazaki's word.

Supposedly, supposedly... We have seven other words to try, but the truth is, we only have four more. Sagasuga believes that we only have three more words because he doesn't know about Kan's word.

Still missing the piece of the puzzle? What, are you sure you want to give up to that assumption of yours that easily? Try a little harder, you can get there.

"We should try another word, Kawahara. How about yours this time around?"

"Yeah, we should try another word. Taking risks is extremely necessary in order to advance, is it not?"

"I'm glad you understand, Kawahara."

"Just a second. I don't quite remember my word, so, could you show me, Sagasuga?"

"Hm, wait a bit."

The crucial part came forth. As Sagasuga kneeled down to open his bag and take out the word that I had given to him that he thought was mine in the first place, the window of opportunity was created.

My word here doesn't matter. I don't care about my word currently, all that mattered was Sagasuga's attention being away from mine.

And just like that, within two seconds of precise rotation, I turned around to the computer and simultaneously wrote a word within the time span of two seconds all combined.

Before Sagasuga could comment on the abnormality of my sudden movement, a loud and clear sound that contrasted the previous one was verbally spread throughout the hollow entirety that we currently are in.

"Password confirmation success. Gateway unlocked."

"Kawahara, what did you do?!"

That was quite the reaction. He's usually really calm and serene, but now, he has his teeth greeting out as if he was betrayed or something like that. However, he didn't see what exactly happened.

"I remembered my password and inserted it. Why do you ask? Also, what the hell! What luck, it fucking worked, would you look at that?"

It is true. The password that I had put really worked. A door of unknown sturdy rigidness from before was opened before our eyes. What was important right now wasn't going through the path that is offered to us, but to give Sagasuga a valid reason to accept that I had truly, accordingly, and supposedly, put out the password that I had suddenly remembered.

"Dude, the hell? Didn't you say that your short-term memory was really bad?"

"That doesn't last for long. I forgot to mention that."

"You should have said that... Just to be clear, what password did you insert, really?"

"Duh, I obviously inserted "The". The reason why I could remember it so easily was because it was literally the previous one. Aren't we just the biggest dumbfucks on this planet?! Haha! My sides, I can't!"

I really genuinely started to roll on the cold floor without a second thought.

Though, if anything, this is the exact opposite of what I had just described. In the first place, my real word is not "The", but "Words". So, it shouldn't come as a surprise as to why I was able to remember the word rather quickly. Sagasuga had reminded me of the word that was supposed to be put out first which was "The". Rayazaki's word. Then, my supposed word, which is actually the wrong word but nonetheless the exact same on the surface. If short-term memory really is short, then I would have no way to remember it.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"This doesn't have any logs... Quite unfortunate, I must say."

I eyed Sagasuga who was trying to find the option of logs within the computer, but there just wasn't. He had no way to look back and see exactly what type of word I had typed.

In addition to that, he was occupied with looking at the option for logs rather... preoccupied. Even though I just handed him a very good reason. He knew for a fact that the words were the exact same. So, what to take in conclusion here? It's simple. Two words. I put out the first one which was "The" and it failed. Sagasuga should've been aware that making the same mistake, in other words, putting out the exact same word would have a negative result. He should've stopped such an occurrence.

So, how come the moment I suggest him to search my word, which is also "The", according to Sagasuga's knowledge, he instead of refusing my idea only allows it to further grow?

I'll give you some time to think here.

In the meantime, I got up, fully erupted, and snapped my fingers rapidly.

"Of course there aren't any logs, man. This exam is ruthlessly shaped, so it makes no sense to leave such easy paths like that."

"Well, yeah, I just thought that..."

"Hm? What's wrong, Sagasuga?"

"Nothing."

He packed his backpack on his back and followed me; who was already adventuring towards the entrance of the path that had been unlocked.

Before we could fully take into the entrance, I asked Sagasuga something.

"You said we could only choose one of the doors, right?"

He thought for a split second before answering me.

"Yes. But just like before, only one door opened itself."

"What's the purpose of the other door, then? If a word isn't enough to decipher it, then what is?"

"Well, I have no way of knowing that, Kawahara. The same goes for you."

"I know. I was just playing."

Cutting our chatter, we entered the straight forward dark linear path illuminated by crescent radiant green crystals adjoined in the walls alongside its massively fascinating unknown architecture that had long captivated my inner interest.

However, something was clearly off. The very fact that we had stumbled upon nothing but crystals on our way towards the end of this path wasn't what told me this. It was the very fact that we were looking down the entrance that we had come from.

To be more precise, we were on the cliff of the upper part above the pillars that we spotted from the start that we had no way to enter because there was nothing connecting to it.

"Ain't that fucking weird... How come we didn't find anything on our way here?"

"That is really weird... There's nothing here at all. Shall we go back?"

"Just a second, Sagasuga."

He's not making much of an effort. What's going on, Sagasuga? You were trying a bit harder a while ago, but you just went down a whole lot. It's one thing to pretend to not know that the words are the same and that the result is equal and one other thing to just try and delude me that this open path has nothing to offer.

A real bummer.

Nonetheless, I started to examine the geoglyphs all over the hall, from the edge of the cliff to the entrance. Aside from unknown symbolism, what I found was nothing. I was looking for some sort of method to unlock perhaps a mysterious secret passage yet as far as I'm concerned, there is nothing of that sort.

Which means...

"What... are you doing, Kawahara?"

"Hm... I'm checking the geoglyphs with my hands. There might be a hidden entrance. Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, but how exactly did you obtain that ax anyway? Isn't it weird that you obtained but didn't have to go through a trial like this? Unless you did? Humor me, Sagasuga!"

From left to right, I started to feel the rocky surface that the geoglyphs had to offer yet the majority of them were unresponsive and this remained true for half of the hallway.

Sagasuga, who wasn't showing any signs of helping me whatsoever simply delivered his explanation. Well, not like I did care, honestly, but I was slightly minimally interested in seeing what sort of excuse this first-rate pathological liar was about to shot me with.

"It was actually located at the end of the linear path, so it's a surprise that this isn't the same as my circumstance. We probably picked the wrong door."

"No, Sagasuga. Come on, man. The other door was locked, there wasn't much of an option."

It doesn't really help that these crystals are intertwined with the geoglyphs. Quite the puzzling structure, I daresay. Nevertheless, it's been a failure thus far, but this path wouldn't open itself without any sort of reward to offer.

"Maybe it's related to the fact that I didn't have to try that many times? I just tried once and it worked."

"Maybe, maybe. Oh... This..."

"What? You found something, Kawahara?"

"I think so."

Near the entrance of the door that had opened itself automatically upon the password's confirmation, towards the left side, one of the crystals wasn't shaped as sharp as the other ones. In particular, this crystal was far more oval, and the moment I touched it, I felt a sensation different than the rest. Exactly as if you would touch a wall full of crystals and only feel the deadly embrace of the lethal edges yet imagine furthermore accepting the embrace of a gentle lock hold that began to show response the more you would push it towards you. A door shows no response unless you bring it to you. However, it was camouflaged, that's why it went unnoticed.

Moreso, the door hold was far too heavy, which brought back a certain memory that I was trying to not remind myself.

"Hey, do you need he--"

"Stay out of this, Sagasuga. A door like this can't hold me!"

On my two feet with my two hands on the crystalized lock, I evoked all my physical strength and pushed the door hold forcefully. At first, it wasn't budging in, but the more I reminded myself of how I could not open that door on that day, during the cinema, I went above and beyond, ignoring my partial limitations.

Then, with a trembling sound, a small rupture was witnessed and inside it was a room, very small, containing a single object at the high mighty top of the iron table within.

"I was going to ask if you went to the army with that strength, but you're not even old enough to enter the army..."

"You don't have to fawn over my strength every time, Sagasuga. It's evident that I'm not like the rest and I don't need others to constantly acknowledge this in order to prove that point. Still, what the hell is this?"

"A really good question, Kawahara. I was thinking it would be a lethal weapon but..."

I grasped the material without a second thought and searched for a number because Sagasuga's ax had a number to it. Although I had to shatter it to get a sight of such a number. However, I didn't have to do that for this material as the number was already in the back of it, surprisingly. It had a strong number attached to it; resembling a powerful omen.

"Well, it has to be something useful. Even if it's just a remote. Honestly, for an island that supposedly had no technology, here they are, offering us a small portion of it. I'll be taking it, Sagasuga. After all, I was the one who got the password right and I used my own password for it, so I should have that right. Or, do you disagree?"

"No, no, I really do agree with you here. Plus, I already have my own weapon. Ah, speaking of which, what number is it?"

I showed him the back of the remote rather quickly and withdrew it with the same level of precision.

"Number 1? It couldn't be that this is actually the starting point? Then..."

Sagasuga looked outside of the hall and went straight into the middle of it before saying the obvious.

"Beyond this is probably the second stage. The door should be unlocked, right?"

"Yeah..."

I yawned.

That's right. I. Yawned.

"Sagasuga, I'm sleeping here."

"Finally about to hit it?"

"What do you expect? It's physically consuming to be on an island and we did travel quite a few kilometers, believe it or not. Besides, don't overrate the quality that you can get for a sleep here. We must get three hours of sleep at least."

More precisely speaking, I'm talking about the Uberman sleeping schedule. Sleeping less than three hours is unacceptable, but the brain only needs three hours of rest, so no matter what, I have to sleep three hours. However, getting to fall asleep in the first place might just be a very harsh task, to begin with. The intensity of the thunder that comes from all the way of the entrance to here is so abundantly massive that its echoes penetrate with roaring sounds causing a disturbance in the silence.

"Are you gonna use your backpack as your pillow?"

"No, Sagasuga. I'm going to lay my precious head on the crystalized ground. I like to feel physically penetrated by sharp edges, you see."

"Wow wow, your sarcasm is cryptic!"

"If you know, then don't ask."

In order to get a far brighter feel, I put my backpack against the wall behind the table. I had thought of sleeping in the iron tale, but ironically, the ground had a more fertile atmosphere to it and it was far more acceptable. Sagasuga was starting to do the same, but our distance was quite short, as he was on my left. This room wasn't as illuminated as the rest of the mine which was why I decided to sleep here. The more darkness, the better. I also had thought of closing the door, but considering how heavy it was, I simply allowed it to remain that way.

Just as I had placed my right arm on the right side of my backpack to act as a double pillow, Sagasuga started to talk.

"What is your goal here, Kawahara?"

That question aside, I took out the remote that was hidden in my shirt's pockets and put it on the solid ground which Sagasuga couldn't see because I was taking the whole vision field with my body thus blocking his sight.

"I don't dislike vague questions, but this isn't the time. Be succinct, Sagasuga. I want to sleep..."

Even if I couldn't see Sagasuga's face, it was pretty clear that he was somewhat tired too. We are tired but not exhausted. Exhausting ourselves can be pretty counterproductive, so I rather conserve.

"Then... I'm referring to your goal in the program. Is it just to be successful for the upcoming years and then get out?"

"That pretty much sums it up, yeah. I'll have total freedom after all. No more of these unfair exams."

"Isn't that just too little, Kawahara?"

"What are you suggesting, Sagasuga? That there is some sort of hidden goal here? In the first place, we are the selected subjects of the program because we supposedly committed enough criminal activity to deserve it. Otherwise, we would be in juvenile. I won't say it's awesome, but it's not juvenile. Have you ever been to juvenile prison before?"

He took a while to answer my question this time around which contrasted the rapid-fire speed in his previous ones.

"I haven't."

"Good for you. I have, Sagasuga."

"Shit, really...?"

"Yeah, the acceptable age is ten, after all."

"How did you get out, Kawahara?"

"Court order, how else?"

"No, but..."

Sagasuga couldn't exactly finish his sentence.

Lightly, I spoke in his turn and reversed our positions, since he already asked me the question.

"What about you, goodie-two-shoes? What is your goal here?"

"Well... I... don't really have a goal in general. I just live to fulfill my ambition, so anything that comes along with it just becomes a goal due to the affliction. So, naturally, to regain a balance in my life, I need to clear myself from criminal records. Or, in other words, to successfully clear what the program has to offer."

"Fuck, that's just boring, man. Don't you want to do something more beyond the program? We won't be here forever, so we should start and think about the future. Give it a shot, Sagasuga. After the program, what do you want to be?"

He hummed as if to imply that he was thinking quite a bit.

Then, he replied.

"A figure of power."

"Like what? A politician? A cop? Hm?"

"It's kinda hard to become a politician because of criminal history. Plus, I would need years of study. It's a shame, but I think that I would have liked to become a politician. But I didn't say that because I knew it wasn't quite possible. Just a figure of power, really. Some sort of position where I can uphold my philosophy rightfully and show the world how that's the correct way to live."

"That's cool and all, but if people knew what sort of psychopath you are, no one would listen to you. Face the reality, we are nobodies; the kind of people that could be disposed of this Earth without a second thought. Really, why become a figure of power and show the world something?"

It feels really contradictory to have mature goals but then come to the realization that such mature goals have catastrophic outcomes. Is it really that worth it, in the end?

"Kawahara, you just don't get it. You're only a nobody if you see yourself as a nobody. Look at you... Aren't you a figure of power in our class? Power gives you the ability to become someone and while you are a figure of power, you aren't a nobody."

"Different views."

"I guess so. I'm quite the sleeper, so I'll sleep the longest probably. Good night, Kawahara."

"......"

It had been so long since someone had said "Good Night" to me that I had forgotten that people usually do that. Like saying "Good Morning" but you are never the first one to say it. You just say it back because you would feel the necessity to say it back. However, never once would you actually say it first. It's a little disturbing to think about it how a person's reflection can come from something so simple as abiding by the option of saying "Good Morning" first or after someone says it after you.

Or, if you don't say anything back at all.

"..."

Sentiments aside, I began to analyze the contents of this remote which I had yet to further logically grasp.

It seems like a TV remote which would imply that it had a few buttons to go over. However, a remote is connected to something so it's only logical to obviously assume that it further holds a deeper connection.

Not only does it have buttons but it contains ten buttons in total. It's referring to the number of students partaking in this exam, most likely.

Out of curiosity, I pressed all of the buttons, but absolutely nothing happened.

I pointed everywhere, myself included and more certainly Sagasuga who was sound asleep.

A negative result.

Unsatisfied, I put the remote in my shirt's pocket. I wondered the true meaning of the remote but it looked empty from the inside, although it could be running on an infinite battery. Nonetheless, it felt like a wasted effort.

It doesn't matter. Everything comes for a reason and my efforts along with the accumulation of other efforts turn out to be rewarded in the end.

Partial to this, in order to fall asleep, it took me around 15 minutes to fall asleep. Even when I close my eyes and can only see the darkness, my brain didn't shut itself off.

The resonating thunder from the outside never really stopped but my brain eventually gave up after I flipped my backpack to further increase the comfortability. Admittedly, I had to do this more than one time, but that was to be expected.

In my brain, I've told myself repetitively that I could only sleep three hours per day. I can't break this routine, no matter what.

No matter what.

No matter what.

No matter what.

No matter...

No.....

.......

...

.

[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/810323018014261321/818719295948718110/Aki_and_Kawahara.png]

You don't have to look at me like that, I love you so----

"GASP!"

With blurry eyes, I cast myself out of sleep and wondered why I didn't hear any alarm to wake me up.

But then I realized I hadn't put any alarm in the first place because I didn't want to waste any of my cellphone's battery.

This doesn't happen as often, but the more I think about how I have to sleep three hours per day, the more I don't fall into that. Having an alarm keeps me from having these unpleasant chains of memories or sometimes, just being surrounded by other individuals while sleeping is enough to influence my mentality that I can't go back to that place, that time, with...

"I screwed up... I screwed up... I screwed up... I screwed up..."

No, no, no. I can't think about it...

"Just get up already. Get up, do it. Move..."

I was murmuring those words silently to myself while having sleepy bags all over my eyes. I had slept a little over three hours because I know for a fact that this doesn't happen unless it's within the time length of 3 or more hours.

Ultimately, I crooked my posture, snapped dozens of bones, and woke Sagasuga up from his slumber.

With just a couple of nagging movements, I had successfully managed to wake Sagasuga up to life.

"....Oh God no, let me sleep longer, what the hell...? It hasn't even been four hours, what sort of hellish schedule are you on....?"

He complained, to which I responded with heavier shackles of movements, even going as far as lightly slapping his face.

"Ow, ow, ow. Stop, stop! I'll get up! Jeez man, do you not like to sleep?"

I actually do.

"You sleep when you are dead. We need to move on, Sagasuga."

"Yeah, true. What's there for breakfast, by the way?"

While asking me that question, he yawned and met my full height as I elevated to an even glance as well.

"Nothing."

"...Right..."

"Don't expect much food or any food at all. We will be traveling towards the second site and see what lies beyond that second bridge.

Tying our backpacks to our backs, we started to walk out of the room.

Sagasuga yawned countless times before addressing the seemingly obvious problem.

"Hey, what are we gonna do if we spend too much time in the other sector? Shouldn't we look for food outside first?"

As of now, we are diverging from the hallway and thus we were headed towards the computer room which would then lead us towards the gate that had the other door.

Significantly contrasting the loud sounds from hours ago, no thunder could be heard.

At last, silence had established itself.

"Yooo, don't ignore me, maaan!"

"What's wrong, Sagasuga? It's my first time seeing you this whiny."

"The mood changed! Four hours of sleep isn't enough for me, man!"

"Are you sure you aren't just whining because it's an unbalanced way of sleeping through the night?"

We crossed the computer room and in there, Sagasuga hurried to the front. Furthermore, Sagasuga messed with his curtain hair and freaked out while looking paranoid.

"Ahhhh!! Bro, bro! Of course it's unbalanced! A human being has to sleep at least eight hours per day, not the other fucking way around!"

"Did you just curse, Sagasuga? Damn, you kissed your mother with that mouth? Phew."

"It messes up with my mentality, damn it! I'm not exactly the sanest creature whenever I'm affected by such an unbalanced way of doing things! I need to eat and fast!"

His eyes were starting to glint a red color suddenly.

Another thing to note is that he was stomping on the floor far too much. He was growing impatient. His brain takes the concept of balance so seriously that sleeping for four hours has affected him that much.

"We aren't going to eat until we find anything on the other side. If you want to eat, then go by yourself, just don't blame me if I disappear from your sight, Sagasuga."

"That's really messed up."

"I take that as a yes. Still, what the hell? Sagasuga, check your cellphone."

"Yes. It's 3 am. Something is very wrong here."

"Right, right? I am not seeing things, correct? Without a doubt, there is natural light outside of the gate, Sagasuga."

As we stand in front of the iron-tainted gate that has its manipulator switch to be yet pushed, we observed the unbelievable occurrence outside of the gate.

"It's 3 am though. The only light we should be able to witness at maximum would be moonlight, but all I can see is pure natural light illuminating the gate up ahead. Uh... I am seriously, seriously not seeing things, right, Kawahara? This could very well be a delusion caused by the lack of balance in my sleeping schedule!"

"Psychopath."

"No, listen to me! I know it's really impossible! Broad daylight?! AT 3 AM?! This does NOT happen! I am under some sorcery and I need to snap out of it! Punch me in the gut, Kawahara!"

I was about to press the switch to investigate the light source while Sagasuga was literally freaking out, but I couldn't quite ignore what he had just spoken to me.

So, I stepped up fastly and tried to form a stance that would punch Sagasuga's gut, but he came to the conclusion quickly on his own.

"Okay, I'm not under some sorcery. If I was, you would ask me if it was alright to punch me in the gut which would be unlike you so it makes perfect sense as to why you just looked straight up ready to make me bleed."

"If you get that-----"

Just as I was about to tell Sagasuga off, our vision got stolen by a single detail that managed to capture the essence of our attention far more than anything could; including the obscure fact that there was broad daylight at 3 AM.

Mirrored to this gate lies from afar a structure of the exact same a few meters beyond. Most surely 10 to 20 meters, but the silence in this atmosphere is so heavily intense that a single noise echo throughout all of gate.

However, someone had the daring idea of opening up the gate from the other side to us. It was impossible not to notice this whatsoever.

"Who the hell..."

I looked far deeper into the scene but could only spot a single eye glare lying in the bottomless shadows engulfed in a darkness far too absent from the daylight to tell anything aside from the eye glare that had evenly matched my own. Furthermore, the eyesight disappeared without a second thought; leaving no trails behind.

"Kawahara, it's an invitation..."

"I know. And he knows it too."

Walk in; he says.