"Does it still hurt...?"

"It never really hurt in the first place, but thanks for caring. It was just a kick in the face, seriously."

"But that's why you should take care of yourself... That brute had no right to kick you in the face like that. What was that all about?"

I don't care if he is Hyunda's supervisor or not... How does he dare to kick my prince like that?!

"It's really trivial, but I'll tell you anyway. Someone broke into his room while he was gone. Thus, in order to find the culprit, he decided to went with a selection vote."

"That still doesn't justify it. He should've locked his room or put a personal guard guarding it! It doesn't make any sense for that situation to happen in the first place!"

Not that anything would justify that action, either way. Don't think that you'll get away by hurting him like this...

"You're not taking a lot of factors into consideration. Regardless, I'm fine. Once again, it's really trivial."

"It's not trivial... Is there anyone else who does the same thing to you?"

People might abuse his undeniable kindness or maybe his cold-hearted methods make him someone that is to be feared. Nevertheless, there might be those who are stupid enough to cross boundaries they should not cross...

"No. I allowed myself to get kicked. Are you worried still?"

"You... allowed yourself to get kicked...? Why?"

Could it be that there was an ulterior motive for that...? But still, why do you have to put yourself in such a dangerous position in the first place?!

"'Why' is irrelevant. Either way, wait here. I'll be back in five minutes or so."

"...Can't I really go with you...? My location isn't a problem, you know..."

"I'm aware. But I didn't do that for this specific moment. After this, we'll enjoy our day. Or, are you against that idea of mine, Arkalee?"

...So unfair...! He doesn't tell me anything of great value and then he tells me words I can't resist in return. You bully...

"Fine... I'll wait here. But why can't I go with you still? Don't you trust me?"

Against all odds, right now, we are in a private cemetery. Hyunda somehow had the key to open up the gigantic rustic gate which allowed us to venture here. In this bizarre almost-haunted place, Hyunda needed something here.

Speaking of which, the clouds are growing darker and darker... I hope it doesn't rain or anything like that.

"It's not a question about trust. The thing is, the place I'm about to enter might have a plethora of cockroaches and other hideous insects."

......

"I-If you are there with me, I think I can do it...!"

My fear of such repulsive bugs would go away as soon as I focus on your entire existence, after all.

"Idiot. I was joking. There are no such bugs there. Well... I honestly am not too sure about that. Nevertheless, you can't go. Just wait here, please."

"But why can't I go...? I really want to go."

He keeps driving me away... Does he think that I don't care? But I do care. So much. If he thinks that I don't, then I have to change his mind about that...

"It's nothing that fascinating. I just need to go to a place here in this cemetery."

"I want to go though... Don't deny me like this, please."

"But why exactly do you want to go, Arkalee? I don't understand."

Because I have to be there for you and you have to be there for me... Hyunda, the moments we are away are the moments that make the least sense. As a matter of fact, they don't make sense.

For you to suggest moments such as those, it smites my heart into endless pieces.

"I'm curious! And... um... I just really want to go. Don't ask why please..."

I'm so afraid of confessing... Ikkiri is still relevant. This fear will vanish as soon as she isn't relevant... Yet, I can't help but feel the necessity to say out-loud my honest feelings.

But that's a bad strategy.

"...Are you good at keeping secrets...?"

Wait... He's not denying me... Plus, he just asked if I'm good at keeping secrets.

Truth to be told, I still don't know where we are going, as we are only strolling around the cemetery's multiple avenues, but Hyunda seems to have a place in mind.

"Yes! I'll keep any secrets you tell me! I won't tell anyone, I promise!"

"Are you sure? If what you are about to see is ever leaked to someone else or if the pieces of information that I'm about to demonstrate you are known, then I will assume that it was you, because you are then, the only person to ever know this."

I am?! He's choosing to trust me with a secret that no one else in this world knows?!

"As a consequence, if the latter scenarios ever happen, I will cut off all contact with you. It'd as if you never existed. That's why I'm telling you to wait here."

He keeps on walking and walking while never looking at me. So close yet so distant. Why must you always treat me like this, Hyunda...?

Have I not shown you enough signs that I'm yours only and that others don't matter at all?

Perhaps not. Certainly, I need to constantly show him that that's the case. Which is why I can't fear that horrible consequence. Because it will never happen.

I rather kill myself than tell anyone anything related to you, Hyunda. Your secrets are my secrets.

"I... will never do that."

There's no need to make an inner vow or any words to prove my loyalty. I'll show you just how serious I am about this, my love.

"Your choice. Do you see that chapel over there?"

Finally having decided to look at me, Hyunda pointed at a chapel that is still quite far away from here.

Midst all tombs, at the center of them, stands one small white chapel. With the Christian cross on top of it, there were two big vertical-sized windows, one at the right of the main door and one at the left of it.

Regardless of that, from what I can see the door is locked with a gigantic locket. How does he plan to get in there?

"I do. So that's the place you want to go and that no one can know about?"

"This place, in general, should remain unknown for certain purposes. But, you are not wrong to assume that the place I want to remain anonymous the most, is indeed what's inside the chapel."

Inside the chapel? Then that means that the chapel itself isn't what truly matters, but something inside it...?

"Also, for the record, you might not like what you'll see. Still, do you want to proceed to it?"

He keeps on asking me if I want to do it or not... Just for how long are you going to doubt me...

"If I say I will do it, then I will! You don't have to doubt me constantly, you know..."

I'm pouting like crazy now, but it's normal and can't be helped considering the situation. He must think of me as some random attention whore who is doing this just for the sake of getting to know him better.

While I did act like that at first, I don't anymore. Is that why he's still doubting me? Gosh, if only I knew how heavenly and dreamy you actually were earlier, I wouldn't have committed the stupidity of prioritizing my own silly arguments...

"Thanks. I'm glad it is this way. Although I said I needed a helping hand, I didn't expect anyone to help me up in the upcoming tasks that I personally always do."

"Y-You can always count on me if you need any help! You can... um, text or me or even call me! We have each other's numbers now..."

However, as soon as Hyunda heard my loyal words, he stopped walking and walked towards my direction instead.

E-Eehh?!

"We don't really have to text each other or call each other, do we? If we want to talk, then isn't it better if we do it in person?"

His mystic white eyes are such a great combination with his silver hair...

Furthermore, I never noticed the stud yin and yang earring that he has on his left ear...

Was it always there or is it new...?

"A-Are you sure?"

N-No! What am I thinking?! Why would I ask him if he's sure... What if he changes his mi---

"I suggested it, therefore, why would I not be sure? Not much sense there. Though, if you are a text-only person, I can understand."

A text-only person? Does he seriously take me for one of those girls who is so afraid of interaction to the point of not meeting people upon their faces? Especially the only existence that matters in this whole universe...?

Gosh, why are you so doubtful!?

"I am not a text-only person! It's just... we won't always be able to talk since our dorms are far away..."

"Really? But, didn't I talk to you today morning without barging into your dorm? Was that not what happened?"

...! I see! We did talk this morning but that was only possible because no one else was watching and we could talk through a certain distance.

That linear bridge that connects our dorms...

"I get what you are trying to say, but if we talk through that bridge, then you might get caught...."

Unreasonably though. Interferences are always annoying, but I refuse to let any other person have a chance to talk to him in the first place midst of that forbidden moment.

"I can only get caught if I want to get caught. But I understand. You don't want to possibly endanger yourself in the process."

What? I don't care about myself.

"N-No! If you are okay with it, we could talk from person to person... But... How will you know when I need you?"

Ahhh... I wish he gave me the reply I wanted but I know he's just going to say something absolutely cold-hearted. Verdict.

"Is there a time when you don't need me?"

Well, that would be the type of reply I would want, for example. My brain is already creating scenarios of such answers. Truly a pitiful reality, if you ask me.

But that would imply that he would have to be aware that I need him at all times.

He doesn't know why I need hi--

"Eh?"

"We are losing time though. We can talk about this later if you don't mind. Let's get going. We don't have all day, unfortunately."

Once again, showing his back against me, Hyunda kept on walking in the chapel's direction. No longer facing me, I had a moment to take a deep breath.

.....!! D-Did he seriously say that?! Is he aware of how I feel...? Although he said previously that I wasn't attracted to him for his own reasons, am I making it too obvious...?!

Then... he's aware that I really need him at all times...

"W-Wait! What did you mean by that?!"

"By what? That we need to make haste to the chapel? I told you already that we are wasting time-"

"Not that! Previously, what did you say?!"

"Oh, I don't know. What did I say exactly?"

N-No way... Was that not true? Did my brain play tricks on me...?

"Sorry... I overheard things. My bad..."

Ahhhhhhhh... So cruel. I'll admit though, it would've been extremely nice if he actually had said that, but that's just not possible. His behavior is that of a cold and ruthless person. There's no way someone like Hyunda would say words such as those.

"Are you sure you did though?"

"Yeah... Either way, let's get going to the chapel. You have important things to do there, don't you?"

"Certainly, that's true. But it would also be important if you didn't ignore the words you think I didn't say. It would be troublesome if you had thoughts such as: 'My mind is playing tricks on me' or 'He didn't say that, no way!'"

"W-Wait, then you really did say i--"

"Or maybe I didn't say them. Who knows, reaaaallyyy?"

He's smirking now. I can see a soft and confident smirk rising from the corner of his lips...!

He's teasing me again! Geeeeeez!

Well, eventually, we did reach the chapel. Still, there are so many tombs here. Of course there are, but I think we went over thousands of them thus far. I wish I was exaggerating, but that is not the case whatsoever.

How come there is no one here though? The location of this cemetery is hideous and entirely secretive, but shouldn't there be someone here guarding it though? It's massive...

Maybe this cemetery is really old? What does google maps say about it?

"Huh...?"

That's really weird. It's not there... Why though? Shouldn't this be on the map? What gives?

"What is it?"

Although Hyunda was already far ahead in the linear red-carpeted hallway that was visible inside the center of the chapel, he asked me that nonetheless.

"This cemetery isn't on google maps. Can you believe that?"

It's probably just a mistake, honestly. I guess stuff like this happens. Still weird regardless.

Though, despite my question, Hyunda did not reply and just kept on walking forward.

In this lonesome chapel, there were multiple figures of Jesus Christ. That's to be expected. But...

Why is there a figure of Satan at the end of the chapel? Right at the end of the chapel, there is a massive figure, or should I say, a statue of Satan as he stabs Jesus Christ.

How is that allowed in the first place...? Does that not go against personal teachings?

"Hyunda, what is this place exactly?"

This doesn't look like an average chapel to me. It's so haunted... There is this cryptic sensation swirling around the atmosphere. A feeling that alerts me of danger that I just can't get rid of...

What does he want with this place...?

"A chapel. What else? I already explained it to you. Ahh, do you want wine?"

"I can't drink wine, I'm a minor..."

Aside from that, he is going around the main altar while searching for something on the back of the altar. Eventually, he rose up with a green bottle on his hand.

Plus, he grabbed a near-by golden chalice and poured down a red substance onto it. Ultimately, he sat on the altar in a lax manner.

"Is that so?"

As I got closer to him, I watched him drink the supposed wine. It's not as if I don't want to drink it because I'm a minor, but it's just... I can't really find it tasty.

In spite of that, Hyunda chunked down the substance that was inside the chalice before speaking once again.

"Maaan, that's good! I missed this so much! Hey, are you sure you don't want to try it, Arkalee? Ahh, sorry though. There's only one chalice here."

"No, no, I'm fine, really! But thank you for considering i---"

Wait a second. If there is only a single chalice then that means...

"On second thought, I really want to drink it! Can you pour a big portion of it, please?!"

How could I not have seen how brilliant and rare the current scenario is!? If I drink the wine from the same chalice as him, from the exact same angle, then...

It will be an indirect kiss!

But still, in response to my request, Hyunda started to play with the already-empty chalice for some reason.

"You can't drink it."

"W-Why though?!"

Is he being thoughtful of the fact that I'm still a minor...? Although I used that as an excuse, I am aware that I can drink it. Nobody is here except us, so there shouldn't be anything stopping me.

Ignoring the vile taste of the wine should be easy since I'll have higher priorities in mind...

Nevertheless, Hyunda poured another portion of the wine inside the chalice and chunked it down yet again.

"This isn't wine. Hence, I can't give it to you. Well, that aside, come with me. We didn't come here just to stand here and mindlessly chat with one another."

Huh...? But if it's not wine, then what is it...?

"Are you telling me the truth, Hyunda?"

"Sure am. If you don't like wine or just can't stand it in general, then you definitely won't like what I just drink."

But what is it though? I want to ask him that, but my intuition tells me that he's not going to give me the answer.

That aside, he's using the key he used to unlock this chapel's lock from the outside again. This time around, he's using it on the lock that there is one the statue of Satan.

Why is a lock there though?

"Is there something in there?"

Attempting to unlock the lock, Hyunda kept on twisting the lock over and over until it clicked. A sound that emitted the meaning of 'opening' came forth.

"Some things, I suppose. If you wanna turn back, do it now. You can even stay in the chapel's interior zone if you so like. Don't tell me I didn't warn you though."

It still bothers me that I don't know what he just drank. A red substance that isn't wine. Just what else could it be?

"I'm going. But, you have to protect me from all the bugs! You must!"

I'm seriously going to freak out if I encounter a cockroach or some random rat along the way. Onto the subject at hand though, I don't know just what is beyond that door. Yes, he unlocked it, but he has not opened it.

"Let's go."

Thus, without any further delay, we entered the place that was beyond the door, but... suddenly, I could feel an abundant humidity. In addition to that, Hyunda lit up a torch that was for some reason standing on the back of the door that was closed now.

With the torch lit, we could see a small portion of what was ahead, but to me, this looked like a dark path without any known destinations up ahead.

"Can you see well?"

"No... I really can't. Sorry..."

The torch itself isn't the problem. The problem is the weak flame that's guiding us. Hyunda's walking up ahead on this dark path, but I can only see his figure in front of me, although barely.

"I see. Then, grab my left hand. I need my right hand to support the torch. That's the minimal I can do."

"Is that fine with you...?"

It's a good thing that we can barely see each other or that Hyunda isn't looking in my direction. Otherwise, he would just see my red-blushed face right now.

I understand that it's for the sake of guiding me thoroughly, but I can't help but see this as an opportunity and I'm not going to waste it.

"Yeah."

"I see. Then..."

Slowly but surely, I grabbed onto his hand. Though cold, I didn't exactly care. My hand was extremely warm in comparison. Should I grab him with my other hand in order to warm him up...?

"Ummm... Can I use my other hand too?"

I asked Hyunda, who was only looking up ahead on this unknown dark path that had no visible destination thus far.

"Sure. Though, from here on out, I advise you to only keep your eyes forward. Avoid looking through any other paths that are not the ones I'm going through."

"I got it, I really won't... But, your hands are so cold."

"I know they are. Yours are warm though. Even so, do you want to hold my cold hand with your two warm hands? Your hands might turn cold in response."

That's exactly why I want to hold your hands. Because they deserve to be warmer.

"Won't your hands be warmer then? It's fine if my hands turn cold in response..."

"Do as you see fit then."

Cold... But that's fine. I'm used to it already. My love for you would be questionable if I didn't accept you for who you are, right?

Though, as we walked down the endless dark path, side paths started to unravel themselves along the way.

Hyunda said that I shouldn't look in their direction, but why though?

Also... I can't help but feel like my heart is going to explode. This bursting sensation of us being connected physically is superb! Our hands are connected, our bodies are closer and closer.

It won't be soon until we...... N-No! That's way too early!

I shouldn't think of stuff like that! I'm not indecent whatsoever...! Though... Shouldn't it be fine...? Physically connection is also relatively important, correct? What's the harm on holding thoughts like that, for example?

The only harm is... I would feel on fire constantly in the endless scenarios of lust that I can come up with.

"Hey. When is your birthday?"

Interrupting my daydreaming session, Hyunda asked me that question of interest.

Why does he want to know my birthday though...? Actually, when is his birthday?! I always forget to ask him the most obvious questions!

"It's in July! July 17th! Umm, yours...?"

"July huh? I see. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

He didn't answer my question...

"No. I'm my parents' only child. But seriously, when is your birthday?"

Also... I've been avoiding looking at the sideways right now because I was dumb enough to not heed Hyunda's advice. I wish I could unsee what I just saw a few seconds earlier, but...

I'm starting to grow a bit scared honestly. What is this horrendous place?!

"What crime did you do, Arkalee? Would you tell me if I wanted to know?"

Still dodging my question. Though, what he asked me... I really can't answer... But... Will he see me as someone who is sneaky and unloyal if I don't...?

"Can I ask why you want to know it...?"

I was planning on telling him eventually, but if he insists now... I'm not too sure if I'll be able to deny it. I'm scared of that. Because I absolutely can't tell it to anyone, otherwise, my image will be damage overall.

"I just want to know. Though, it would help us grow closer, I guess. Just a silly idea of mine. Don't bother with it, honestly. Forget I even asked you."

Grow closer...? That's true, isn't it? If I tell him a secret of great importance then we would certainly grow emotionally closer.

But I... don't want him to know that side of me. I know it's selfish from me, but...

"Sorry... I don't think I can tell you, Hyunda."

I'm really sorry, but you shouldn't know... I'll still love you with all my heart, regardless.

"What a shame. I revealed you all of this and yet you can't tell me what you have done? I got too optimistic, then."

Huh....? Then... He wants to know...? But he said that he got optimistic which should mean that he was hoping that I would tell him. But why...?

I know why. In order to grow closer. He answered that. But... I don't think I can do it. Oh god, will he hate me for this...?

"You won't get mad, will you?"

"Not really, I suppose. I'm just disappointed. It hurts when you share something and you don't receive something equivalent in return. But, I was optimistic. You can forget I asked you."

Don't say that... If you do, then I'll feel guilty... It hurts me to deny one of your requests because, for you, I could do anything you asked me.

You are by my side now, but, will you grow distant if we don't grow closer now? Must we grow closer in order to avoid growing distant?

"Does... it really have to be this way...?"

"What are you talking about? I said you could forget it. Just take your mind off. We are almost there though."

He's dodging the subject. This means that I failed to meet his expectations... Then, does that mean that he views me as someone who is incompetent in fulfilling his wishes? Will he rely on someone else just because I can't do it?!

That's not acceptable at all...

But if I tell him, he will most likely view me with disgust and hatred... I'm so conflicted...

"Although, I can understand why you wouldn't tell me. It's probably a deep secret. No, it's not probable, it's the truth. Of course you wouldn't tell it to a random stranger. No sense there."

"You're not a random stranger..."

Why is he calling himself a random stranger...? If he was a random stranger, then I wouldn't go this far for him... Can't he see that I treat him in ways I don't treat others?

"Are you sure I'm not? Think about it. We are only classmates who got paired up during the previous exam. Nothing else is setting us together, realistically. Therefore, I am a stranger. You can't label me as someone who is not a stranger just because we sit next to each other in class, Arkalee."

His words made my paranoia stop because I couldn't let him get the wrong version of the truth.

"But you aren't a stranger to me! I'm wasting my day-off with you! Isn't that enough for you to know that you are not a stranger?"

"Isn't that just because I asked you? You could be kind-hearted to the point of naively accepting my request without any secondary intentions. It's entirely possible."

Does he seriously think I would accept a request like that?! I hate everyone that isn't you, isn't that obvious?!

"I didn't accept your request because I was kind-hearted about it though..."

"Then why did you?"

"That's...."

Because I love you, why else? And anywhere you go, I want to be there for you and by being there for you, you are being there for me. Though, I can't say these words yet...

They will not have that much impact on him, so to speak.

"See? I'm just a stranger. The fact that you can't even tell me what you did proves it. I am being treated just like everyone else. Another classmate of ours could be here in my place and it would be the same thing."

What...?!

"You're joking right?! I wouldn't be here if it was another one of our classmates! I can't stand them! Where did you get that wrong idea from?"

Especially one of our classmates... I don't even want to recall their faces... How can you imply stuff like that, Hyunda?

"Is it really wrong? You say that it's not, but you are treating me like a stranger. I wouldn't show this place or this cemetery in general to anyone, but I did show you. I am not treating you like a stranger, for the record. No other classmate of ours could be here right now, because I wouldn't allow this moment to exist. Yet, here you are. And this is how you repay me? By saying that I'm not a stranger when it's not true?"

His harsh words are stabbing my heart endlessly... His words feel like an unknown fear that I've been always avoiding that comes to haunt me every now and then.

I've dreamt about you every night this week, but you think that I think of you as a stranger?

"You are not a stranger. If you think that I think of you as a stranger, then you are wrong! However, you can't see that, can you...?"

"Of course I can't. Though, that could change. But this is really trivial. You shouldn't bother yourself with thi---"

"No!! Tell me, what should I do?"

If there is a way to solve this misunderstanding, then I have to do it. I can't allow us to grow distant. Because he will then rely on someone else but me. I have to prove that I am useful and that I love him in the process.

Nobody will ever go to the extremities that I go through.

"Make our situation equal. A secret for a secret."

"That's... Isn't there any other way for you to change your mind?"

"Change my mind? Even if you tell me your secret, my mind will not change, but the idea will be completed. By making this situation even, I am no longer a stranger. It's unfair because to me you are not a stranger yet to you, I technically am. You might not agree with me, but logically speaking, it is the case."

So even if I think of him not as a stranger, I should prove it to him that he is not a stranger. My thoughts aren't really that relevant, are they?

My actions, my words, they must prove to him that I am serious about this. That's what he's trying to tell me.

Don't worry, Hyunda. I got your message.

"I..... Sorry, I've just been... It was unfair of me, wasn't it?"

"Again, you don't really have to tell yourself anything. Since you are insisting on the situation, I'm just telling you what's on my mind and what I think about it. Think nothing about it."

Why does he constantly keep on telling me to not bother with this topic...?

Could it be that he has no faith in me?

That's just mean, Hyunda...

"...What do you think of me.....?"

If I'm going to tell him, then I need to know how he truly feels about me in spite of his ruthless honesty.

Though... This place has been giving me the chills....! I want out!

I've tried avoiding looking side-ways but it's just not working... Why are there so many....?!

"What's the point in answering that question? Let me ask you a different question though. Why do you think I bothered to invite you out today when I could've done it so with any other? Sagasuga was available, for example. Ikkiri probably wouldn't mind as well. Surely, there is a reason why, but just what is that reason?"

I don't think Hyunda realizes how pissed off I get whenever Ikkiri is mentioned. My skin crawls. My stomach twists. My hair ages. My hands tremble. My heart darkens.

"Why do you have to mention Ikkiri every time? Why do you care so much about her...?"

Also, I really want to ask him just this is all about, but according to him, we are getting closer to the destination, even though we have only walked on and on through multiple dark paths. Multiple doors have been open thus far in the process of unlocking new avenues.

And, in every single one of those paths, there have been some massively disturbing sceneries, which I'm avoiding talking about right now since I'm prioritizing our emotional connection right now.

"How is she relevant to this conversation right now? I just used her as an example because it was the truth. There's nothing else to it."

"But it's always her! Why her!?"

There has not been a single serious conversation between us where he hasn't mentioned Ikkiri at least once!

Just what is this?! Why is she always on his mind!? I don't understand this! Is she always there for him? No, she isn't! I am! What gives you the right to occupy his mind whenever you so please?!

"She doesn't matter in this conversation!"

For the first time ever, he shouted back at me. Suddenly, my tears started to form a tiny bit, though, since it was still dark, Hyunda could not see my tears starting to create themselves.

"If she didn't matter you wouldn't mention her every single time....!!"

I will make you regret you ever took a step in this world, I swear... This will not be overlooked, Ikkiri.

"Also, what is this place!? Why are there dead bodies split all over the floor everywhere we go...?!"

"You noticed, then."

It's kinda hard not to notice how there are crucified bodies in crosses that are split from either across the gigantic dark rooms we enter or when there was a room that had a horizontal line of skulls implanted on the altar.

Just what...? What is this!? Where did all these bodies come from?! They are rotting as well!

I thought that there wouldn't be any insects here but the rotten bodies are full of it! I can't stand this!

"Why are there so many dead bodies, Hyunda!?"

"Don't bother questioning why they are here. What is important isn't this place. After this, we will have the day free. Are you hungry?"

He says that every time, but we just keep on crossing rooms over and over and over. They differ in appearances though. One room had multiple crosses with bodies crucified on them.

Did he do all of this...? Th-Then he also...

"Wait... Did you do all of this?"

I ignored his question about me being hungry. Right now, that's not a hot topic, really.

The current room that we are in contains a gigantic horizontal table that resembles a Christmas table. However, in every single chair, there are skeletons in it for some reason.

How does Hyunda know about this place?! It's so creepy! I feel like throwing up, but I can't allow him to view me in such a weak state.

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"Why are you asking that question? Are you curious as to why there are bodies everywhere we go?"

"Yes! This isn't normal, you know? Don't you find it creepy?"

Though, if he really... No... He can't be responsible for this. It's just impossible.

"From this room onwards, is the place that I've been meaning to go. It's far too late to turn back now, so you'll have to come along."

At last, the moment of truth. The reason why I'm needed here. Although... I would really like if he didn't dodge every single one of my questions.

"...Are there more bodies up ahead?"

My stomach is urging to let it out, but I must resist it.

"Bodies? No. Something probably worse. If you feel like throwing up, then don't be afraid to do so."

"No way! I'm completely fine, Hyunda! And... do you still have the same thoughts? About me seeing you as a stranger?"

"What does it matter now? You don't want to make the situation equal. Stop talking about it already."

Even though he is saying those words in a cold-toned stern voice, I can't help but feel a wave of short-lived anger behind them.

He also has not looked at me for a long time... Do you just.... not realize how much I crave for you?

Then, I'll make you realize.

"When we are done here... Um... I don't mind..."

"You don't mind what?"

".......Telling you..."

Gosh, I can't look at him in the face! I just can't! I feel like the words I want to say the most might just come out flying from my mouth and I don't want that right now!

No, I really do! It's just... I can't!

"You don't have to do it, you know. I feel like I'm forcing you now. Stop it."

"You're not forcing me though! This is a decision I came up with after thinking a lot! Don't think this is easy for me!"

These tears, they won't stop... It's annoying how easy it is for me to cry...

But then, the unexpected happened. Hyunda, instead of putting the key onto the door lock, faced my direction. Before doing that though, he put the torch onto a torch holder that was near-by.

W-Wait but he can't see me like this!

"Who said it was easy? I didn't. Aren't you assuming a bit too much here?"

"N-No, please don't look....! Not right now, ummm, give me just a second."

"It's fine..."

Attempting to hide my face and tears at the same time, I tried to cover it with my bare hands, but he grabbed my hands in the process of doing so, which made that action impossible.

But this would mean...!

"Please... Let me just wipe them out. I'm really sorry, I get stupidly emotional for no reason at all! I'm so sorry!"

His shout is still chasing the back of my mind. I can't believe you've defended Ikkiri like that in front of me... Do you have any idea how crushed I'm feeling right now...?

"Why are you apologizing? You've always been emotional. That's never going to change. It's how you are, Arkalee."

He's still holding onto my hands softly while looking at me at the same time. I can barely see his face and vice-versa, but this moment alone... I'm feeling weak.

"You hate it when I get emotional, don't you? That's why I apologized! I'm sorry, okay?!"

He surely thinks of me as annoying right now. There's also the fact that I was clinging onto his hand this whole time, but I... don't know how else I should love you... Am I that much of a waste to you...?

"Look at me, right now."

Truth to be told, I've been facing the dark ground for a while because I didn't want to show him my sorry-emotional state.

"I can't... Just wait a second, they will all be gone."

"I won't wait. If you don't look at me, I'll make you look at me."

W-What is he planning on doing...?

"Please, just wait! Don't be so impatient! It's just..."

But, as I finished saying that, he had let loose of my hands and touched my two cheeks instead. Subsequently, he matched our looks correctly, so that I was looking at him. Our distance was almost gone...

"Isn't it fine to cry? It's an aftereffect of how big your emotions are. Why are you hiding that side from me? When did I tell you that I thought of you as a weak person? Plus, I don't hate your emotional side. It makes you who you are, and I'm not going to censure you for it."

Midst this, he started to wipe the tears that were on my cheeks with his fingers. Furthermore, the tears that would start to form would also get wiped.

But... that only makes me want to cry more... He doesn't know but... Just having a moment like this, where you genuinely care for me, means the world to me!

"Can you hold me for a little longer, please...? I need time."

Thus, I sunk my head onto his chest, but the unexpected proceeded to happen once again.

In a quick flash, he held onto my body as a whole while pulling me closer, in order to give me a hug.

"W-What are you..."

"I've noticed. Did you think I haven't? The way you portray yourself around me. What you show me and not others. How you choose to be despite what I say to you. I've noticed it all. I'm not heartless. Hey... Can you feel it? You can, can't you? My heartbeat."

He's hugging me so tightly! W-Wait this is too much to take at the same time...! I'm not ready for this level of connection yet! I haven't prepared myself! I don't know how I'll react if you keep on raising the pace up like this...!

Though... It's warm. His hug is making me listen to his heartbeat. Who I thought to be emotionless and cruel, has a heart that beats...

But... That's just an emotional interpretation. I'm aware that even if your heart means, deep inside you can still be someone who doesn't uphold emotions...

"I can hear it... But... what are you trying to say exactly...?"

I can't tell what he truly is saying right now. Am I supposed to assume that he is aware of how I feel or is he aware of how I act for him and only him?

I don't know! And that's killing me!

"I'm saying I know because it is what you are showing me. I can't receive any other information unless you tell me directly. It's impossible."

Even with his right hand, he's pushing the back of his head onto his chest. In response, I'm hugging him as tightly as I can...

But... It's so sad. This moment will have to end sooner or later. Unless...

"How do you feel about Ikkiri...?"

"Her again? You say that I mention her, but you are starting to mention her more than I am. Isn't that weird? Though, why?"

"...Sorry, I need to clear some doubts. Don't ask me why."

This anxiety. This pressure. I can't live on with it. I need some sort of answer. I'm not the type of person to form assumptions and stay with them for too long.

The truth; I need it. Am I enough for you? Am I allowed to open myself up when I shouldn't?

"I'll change the question once again... Who am I with, right now?"

"........Don't dodge it please..."

I know what he's trying to do...

"Who did I choose to spend my time with?"

"Please don't do this to me. Just answ---"

"Who am I arguing with right now while attempting to justify my intentions? Is it Ikkiri? I'm sorry. We don't have that type of bond."

"But you have some type of bond! Explain!"

Even when you are not here, you manage to get in my way every single time. Impressive. Truly impressive.

"Friendship. That's the type of bond we have."

Not true....

"If that's friendship, then what do we both have...?"

"I don't know. All I asked of you was for you to accompany me. That was pretty thoughtful of you. I was thinking of considering you a friend---"

No.

"Don't say that..."

No, no.

"Hold on, you didn't let me finish---"

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

"That's fine. You don't have to talk anymore! Just don't! Sorry for insisting! That was my bad, hahahahaaaah!"

I refuse to hear those words from him. It's fine. I'll take it slowly. I just have to think about this logically, honestly.

However, having my emotions getting smitten in the process... That can't happen!

"Listen to me, please."

"No, that's okay. Anyways, you wanted to do something in the other room, right? Let's move on! We've wasted plenty of time already! I'm also getting hungry...! Therefore, we should hurry up and---"

"Really? You're going to be like this? I listen to you but then you try to escape like this?"

You just don't get it, do you...

The words you were going to say would undoubtedly crush my whole being. I just can't live with that.

Not to worry, my love for you won't disappear.

"I don't care anymore. It was a silly conversation, hahaha!"

"Well, you started it, so I'm going to finish it regardless."

"No, I won't listen to it!"

Now that we've broken our closure, I'm stepping away from him while covering my ears.

Don't be so hard on me, please... You can't possibly comprehend the depth of my feelings, Hyunda.

Regardless of my words, Hyunda approached me again and held my left wrist with brute force while pushing me against the door.

"That hurts you know... You're bullying me... Please stop..."

"As I was saying, I was thinking of considering you are as a friend. You have done plenty of requests for me thus far. It would be the beginning of a new friendship."

He's hurting me... Just how much force is he exactly applying onto my left wrist...?

I have this feeling inside my throat right now... I can't exactly explain it, but it hards to swallow about anything.

I'm about to burst into tears again, it seems...

"Though... I was wrong to think like that. We can't be friends. There's too much intensity between us, isn't there? It just doesn't make sense for us to be friends, don't you think, Arkalee?"

".....What exactly are you saying...?"

I don't get him... He says that we can't be friends due to our intensity, but then... What are we?

"I'm saying, we can't be average friends. This obvious intensity doesn't allow us to be that way. But... What if we..."

W-Wait... What is going to say...?

"S-Stop! I'm not ready for this! Please let me go! It was silly of me to do this! Forgive me already, will you?!"

I don't want to know! I don't want to know! I don't want to know!

His words are always so ruthless! I can't help but feel destroyed if he says something against my expectations and I'm stupid when it comes to expectations because I always held them high when it comes to you...

"We can't be anything yet. We are nothing, so to speak."

"That hurts... You didn't have to say it like that..."

Would it really hurt to pack some caring behind your words...?

"But, if we are nothing, then doesn't that mean we can be whatever we want to be together?"

"Eh?"

What is he... talking about? Wasn't the aim of his words to make me aware of what he thought? Wasn't he saying that we couldn't even be friends...?

"The reason why we haven't been able to develop a proper bond or a decent interaction is that one of us is pretending to see or perceive a bond that is not real. I am not doing that. Which only leaves you. Arkalee, right now, you are perceiving something that is not true."

I can't tell if he's insulting me or not... This is so weirdly confusing! Also, for how long is he going to hold my wrist like that...?

I'll admit to never have thought of this scenario, but this weird feeling of not rejecting it immediately is worrying me. Along with other partial feelings...

"What are you getting at...? Can't you see that you are hurting me? How can you be so tactless?"

However, when I finalized my words, Hyunda pushed me further to the back of the door while almost connecting his face to mine in a swift movement.

"Does it really matter if I hurt you in the process? I got some clarity about the situation at hand, so I'll show you what I mean. You are complaining about Ikkiri and me, but can't you see why she's greater than you right now?"

W-What?! How can you say that?!

"Don't say that! You're horrible!"

"Insult me all you like, it's the truth. Do you know why she's better than you? She has a definitive bond with me, that being friendship. We have nothing. Our relationship doesn't exist. It's transparent."

"Why do you keep on saying that!? We do have a bond, right?!"

"Do we? I've been explaining to you that we don't have such a thing. Furthermore, I've emphasized how one of us is pretending to have an unreal bond and that person isn't me. It's you. I've already explained this twice now. Therefore, if you are unhappy with the situation, then do you want to change that situation?"

According to him, I'm the one at fault here because I'm perceiving a non-existing bond that we supposedly have...

I can't help how I feel for you, but there's no way you know that... So here you are saying those irresponsible words.

Ahhh, I love how naive you are sometimes. It doesn't even matter how hard I try, even if he says that I can change the situation I---

Wait... There is a way to change the situation...?

"There's no way to change this situation, Hyunda. Isn't it impossible?"

"There is. The major problem of this situation is that you are hung up on some delusional idea. Let go of that idea."

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

"No..."

"Let go, Arkalee. If you don't, we can't start anything. To start a bond, we need some sort of foundation. Do you think we already have enough foundation to develop a bond? We don't. That's why you need to let go of your idea. Let me lead you."

Is he seriously suggesting I let go of the love I have for him...? You're so irresponsible, my love.

I can't just do that... Even when you propose to lead me in such a scenario.

"I won't. My idea is not wrong. We can still make this possible."

"We can't. It's not possible and here is why. Your idea, that I don't even know of, probably doesn't even exist in reality. My idea though, exists. That's the difference between our ideas. Are you going to trust an idea that doesn't exist or one that does exist?"

What does he mean by my idea not existing?! Just because it doesn't exist right now, it doesn't mean it won't...

After I get rid of Ikkiri, I'll make my move... 

"If you give me time, I can make my idea work... It just can't work right now due to circumstances."

"That's understandable. Ideas take time to shape themselves; ultimately to create themselves. However, don't you think that you are wasting time?"

"Sorry...?"

"My idea will be put to work immediately. Yours though? When? How long will we have to wait? Are you going to prioritize your selfish ambition over my own? Mine is quicker and better. See? This is what I mean by no foundation. No trust. You can't even trust me here."

"You don't trust me either...! You always keep secrets from me! How do you expect me to just agree with everything you say?! That's completely illogical!"

My love isn't supposed to be abused to this extent. That's not right. I have free will too.

"So you noticed. That was intentional. I was afraid that you hadn't noticed. I purposely made all these secrets in order to trigger a reaction in you. I was afraid of you not demonstrating anything, but you did feel it!"

"Why did you do that if you know how hurt I would get in the process?!"

His right knee is in the middle of my legs as we speak. I'm feeling so conflicted about this moment...

It's as if this is a passionate argument...!

"You needed to feel some sort of emotional pressure. You've been acting way too kind lately. Too kind. If you kept that attitude up, then it would drag itself down forever. I couldn't allow that to happen. That was all for this. Hey. Do I need to say more, Arkalee? Do you not want to make this work? Your idea won't work. Mine will. Trust me and I'll trust you back. It's an equivalent exchange. It can't be one-sided."

"How do you know that my idea won't work!? You don't even know what my idea is..."

"You're not telling, right? I figured that you wouldn't. But I doubt that I'm wrong from the truth. Am I? You can differ here. However, tell me just how exactly am I wrong. I'll then accept that I am wrong."

...There's no way I can tell you that, idiot...

"Silence? Well then. I'm right. Which means I can go on with my idea. Or do you object this too?"

"You're intelligent, but if it hurts my feelings in the process, then I'm not doing it, sorry."

"Hurt your feelings? I think what will happen is the opposite of that. Your feelings get constantly toyed with because you have a poor foundation. That's how emotional weakness is formed. What you need right now is emotional strength. Can I give that to you? Do you allow me to?"

My feelings... will grow stronger...? Is that even possible...? I thought that my emotional strength was already at its peak, but if you tell me that it can grow further and further, I can't help but want to know how...

Because if my emotional strength grows, then I will be able to love you more and more.

"...Aaahhh, I don't know... B-But.. for how long are you going to remain this close...?"

Our lips are almost touching...! My heart feels like a bomb that's about to tick! A detonator that's about to blow, my blood pressure is insanely high right now...

"Do you dislike it?"

"......No."

I don't have the courage nor strength to deny him right now... I'm just going to follow this feeling of security. 

"My idea means that you have to let go of the idea you have right now. Can you do that?"

".....I seriously don't think I can. I mean, how am I supposed to...?"

It's really impossible. I don't even want to think about it...

"Your idea is only formidable to you because, in your mind, there is not a greater idea. Is that the limit of your imagination? Let yourself believe that there is something greater than what you currently have in mind."

A greater idea than what I have in mind? Hyunda... Are you saying that in order for me to believe in your idea that I need to see my own idea as something that is a stepping stone and there is a greater idea midst everything?

Hyunda, however, dropped my wrist and moved his knee away and sat on the bottom of the floor with his legs extended all the way forward, also, with his back against the door wall.

I as well did the same.

"How is that possible though...? What if I can't see anything greater than what I have in mind, Hyunda?"

"That's fine, I guess. I can show you a bigger idea. But for that to happen, you need to accept the possibility."

"Possibility...?"

"Yes. The possibility of there being a greater idea that far excels your idea. It's up to you though. I can't tell you my idea if you can't embrace the possibility while believing me along with everything."

A possibility that further excels that which I currently believe that cannot be surpassed...? That would be my love for you, of course. Yet... Can you take it higher...?

So high that even the skies will succumb to fear.

"Alright... I'll trust you. But you can't break my trust, okay?"

"Sure. That was the plan, either way. That's the first step. Our foundation will have a very simple principle behind it. Equivalent exchange. What I give to you, you have to repay on an equal level and what you give me, I must do something that is also on the same level. Do you want this principle or not?"

...Hmmmm, it's not bad. Wait, isn't it super good? If we are both beneficial to one another, then our bond will have lots of perks along the way for sure... 

Our connection will always develop on an even level and none of us will ever feel superior or inferior. We will both feel equal. 

Is that it...? Could that be the bridge that can solve it?

"Even if we ask each other unreasonable things?"

"That's fine. As long as you are able to comply with my tasks that I ask or anything of that sort, then I'm not against it."

"...Seriously?"

Then... If I ask him to cut absolute contact with Ikkiri, will he...?

I'm not scared of complying though. I will do anything for him. I love him, after all.

"Yeah. If you agree with that term, then our bond will have the first principle, which is an equivalent exchange. In other words, equality to both sides."

"....I agree with it."

"Is that so? Then, want to put it to the test?"

"Really? Right now?"

"Yeah. That's what I just said."

I-Is he serious...? He said that no matter how unreasonable the request that he would accept... But if I do that then I will have to... Well, that's not a problem.

But, this would be perfect, so to speak.

"Can we ban the word Ikkiri forever? Whenever we talk, her name is forbidden."

Although you said that you would comply, I'm sure that you wi--

"Okay."

....?

"W-Wait, seriously!?"

"Why are you so surprised? I heard your request and accepted it. Her name is banned from now on. Though, this means, you'll have to hear mine."

Waaaah!!! I can't believe this! Is this actually happening?! I wish I could see the look of your face right now as you cry down and beg for mercy!

"Yes! Anything you say!"

All the uneasiness in my heart is gone now. It's impressive how you manage to make my day go from 0 to 100 like that...

Ahhhh, I love you so muuuuchhh.

"Tell me how you got into the program."

Ah...

"......Um...."

"You can opt not to tell me. I think it's a fair choice. However, that means your other request will be nullified."

Ahhh, Hyunda, you... 

.........

You don't make this easy for me. You're so lucky that I love you to this absurd extent. I've never gone this far for someone, but it's about to happen.

My request has to be completed, otherwise, I won't be able to have a conversation with you without stressing out. Just hearing any word that starts with the letter 'I' gives me preemptive anxiety.

"...I'll tell you. But, you can't really tell anyone! Please!"

"What are you talking about? Of course I won't tell anyone. This is also part of the equivalent exchange, remember? I've told you about this place and this is how you'll repay me, by giving me your secret."

"Wait... Doesn't that mean that I must give you an additional request...?"

"That's true. But that will come later. It doesn't have to be now. I will remember you when I want it though."

He's got me curious now...

Though, more importantly... I'm glad that he won't tell anyone. Actually, he... He's acting so reasonably. It's kinda calming, honestly.

What a sincere shame that we will have to return today. I could stay like this forever. Even in this cold room, with us these close to one another, I want to fall asleep on his shoulder so badly.

What if we never return...? What if we just live here forever...? Ahhh, that's just not possible. But...

I wish it was.

"Alright... I think I'm ready... I'm kinda nervous, you know...? I really didn't think that I would tell anyone what I did. I'm afraid that you might come to harbor any feelings of disgust for me..."

"You're nervous, right? Grab my hand then."

His hand.... It's lying facedown, right now. I can reach out to it. Certainly, that would give me a feeling of peace...

It's weird... I'm feeling so happy but I'm feeling like I am about to break a certain habit. I just don't know what that habit is...

"Alright..."

My soft warm hand met his cold hand swiftly. However, to my surprise, he started to envelop hins fingers with mine, thus our hands were mutually connected.

Like couples do.....

I see... With him... I can take any steps I want... 

Is that what it means to see beyond my idea of love? That there is a feeling that far excels love?

I wonder if I'll be able to find the answer to that if I follow your lead. 

I'm following this feeling.

"Hyunda, have you killed people before?"

"Is it relevant to your emotional security if I give you the honest answer?"

"Yes... Sorry."

What I'm about to tell him will either destroy our future relationship or... As he said, it will take us higher.

I'll believe in what you have said, Hyunda. Together, we can't be stopped.

"I see. Then... Technically, I did."

Technically...? 

"Ohh... Then... I guess it's fine."

I won't question his motives right now. That would be too selfish of me. I'm comfortable right now. I don't need to seek more answers than those I have to know. 

"The truth is... I've had plenty of boyfriends in the past..."

"You did?"

I feel ashamed for having to admit it... But, don't worry, Hyunda. They were nothing compared to you. I can't even remember their names anymore. That's how much of an impact you have had in my life thus far.

Even in such little time, this past month has been the best of my entire life! I've never felt this much passion for someone! I never knew that life could be this blissful...

"Yes... However, they were too boring. I hated every single second of it. They only approached me because I looked attractive. They never cared about me. I disliked that. Furthermore, it irritated me when they started to talk with other girls. If I was their girlfriend, then why would they eye someone else? I don't understand..."

You're not boring though. You have an immense depth to your unfathomable character that I cannot perceive no matter how hard I try. Your motives remain mysterious forevermore. You are mystic to an infinite extent, Hyunda.

"Plus, they would always cheat on me. I didn't like that. Not one bit. Sooo, I killed them!"

It couldn't be helped. How do you expect any mercy if you cheat on me? You call me pretty and say that I'm one of a kind but then you do that? Filthy casanovas.

But... I expected him to show any type of reaction, but he's not showing any. He's simply looking at me with his powerful white-colored eyes. 

"You said they talked to other girls, right? What happened to them? Did you let them get away?"

Huh...? He... He's not judging me...?

"N-No. Of course not. No way. Hahaha. Out of the question. They also suffered deeply. Actually, way more than just suffering..."

But if I tell him the process, then he might jus--

"Why are you stopping? I thought I was going to hear something interesting. Don't be boring. Give me a good twist!"

He's not rejecting me...? N-No way...

Could it be that he's...

"H-Hyunda?"

"Yeah? Don't be shocked. I was aware that you had something going on. What? Did you think I was going to give you a moral judgment? No way."

"I-I-I...! You are...!"

...So amazing! With you, I can feel at ease. You don't judge me by my superficiality but for what I have deep inside me. Now that I think about it, isn't that what the majority of human beings desire in general?

To not be judged by their superficialities but for what they have deep inside...? Plus, he's not judging me...

He's accepting me. I'm being accepted. I'm not being traded nor discarded. 

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Nothing! I'm going to go on!"

This confidence, this security, this passion, this serenity, this clarity... You are my remedy.

With you, I can go on forever.

"The truth is... I didn't kill the girls they talked to. That would be too simple. Because death is the easy way to escape. But, I thought to myself that if I give them a life where they would want to die, then, how would they feel? Would they taste hell in the most bitter way possible? With that said, I investigated their personal lives and ruined their whole lives. Why kill someone when you can make them regret to ever live? Eventually, they all killed themselves due to the pressure that was put around them."

Ikkiri, you won't be an exception to this. Actually... You will. I'll upgrade my methods just for you. I'll make you feel hated by every single person in this class.

To the point where you'll start to hate yourself so hard that you'll have to choice but to end your miserable life.

"I see! Instead of killing them straight up, you made them regret everything they ever did? You're vengeful, but it's understandable why you are like that. You've put your trust onto others. It's not your fault. Aren't they at fault for abusing your trust? They deserve some sort of punishment, no matter how I look at it."

Hyunda!!! You really understand me! You... It can only be you... You've understood me completely...

"T-Thanks for understanding! It always felt so unfair how I gave them the best of my feelings and never got rewarded for it..."

I'm lying here though. Because at that time, I didn't know that I had the capacity to love someone this much. Your encounter with mine, us being paired up, it must be fate. I just know it!

"Then, don't your feelings deserve some recognition?"

"U-Umm...! It's fine, it's fine, I really am okay now...!"

For now, this is fine. Hyunda, the fact that you are making me open up to you, the person I love, is making me think that this whole thing is a dream...

I vow to tell you how I feel the moment I make Ikkiri completely irrelevant.

"No, it's not. If your feelings aren't recognized then you'll feel unsatisfied forever. Do you want that?"

".....Don't say that please..."

Because if you do, you'll force me to say something irresponsible.

"Why? Is it not the truth? All this time, you were forced to do actions that would do justice to your feelings. Shouldn't this come to an end?"

"...What are you saying, Hyunda?"

O-Oh no, my heartbeat... Again, it feels like it's going out of control!

Our hands are still intertwined completely. I don't know if I can resist him any longer...

"I'm saying, you can't have all these feelings inside you without sharing it with someone. Don't you think it's about time you choose someone that you can share those feelings with?"

Aren't we already sharing a great depth of my feelings...? Do you not realize your position right now, Hyunda?

You are that 'someone'. You just don't know it yet.

"It will come... That time will come."

"Oh, I see. Still, I pity the guy who is going to harbor your feelings, Arkalee."

...Why are you pitying yourself suddenly?

"Why...?"

"I mean, you probably aren't a virgin anymore, right?"

W-W-What....?!

"I think the likelihood of one of your past boyfriends have done you is quite high. Girls at this age are crazy about sex. I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't one---"

"Stupid! Idiot! Dummy! There's no way that happened! I-I-I would never give myself to any of them!"

I can't believe you even mentioned that....! Gosh, I'm so furious! Does he take me for one of those girls who just want to have sex as soon as she hits puberty!?

I have self-control and besides...

"So, you're a virgin, still?"

".........."

Why is he asking me that....?! 

Needless to say, I had to look away, despite our hands remaining intertwined with one another.

"What? Why the sudden silence?"

"Nothing really..."

So he wasn't going anywhere with that...

"Unless... You want to do it here?"

Hm? What did I just...?

"Sorry?"

Suddenly, my whole embarrassment was gone. I've experienced an emotion that was far higher than just pure embarrassment.

However, I did not know what it was.

"We are here all alone. Nothing is stopping us. Sorry, but it's going to have to be raw."

"Ummmmmmmmm......."

I don't know how to react. It's as if I'm out of reactions. Is it because I've always imagined our romantic scenarios ahead of time but I never imagined this scenario?

"If you are fine with me, that is. I'm confident in my skills, just saying."

"Hyunda."

This is new.

"What?"

".....Please stop teasing me to this extent... I don't know how to react, give me a bit more time to prepare for this. This is too sudden. Plus, we must consider the time and space. Wouldn't it be better if we did it in a---- A-Aaahhhh....! Wh-What am I saying?!?!"

It took me a while to come to my senses, but... Just what the hell was I suggesting?!

I'm not perverted, I swear! And also, why would you say I'm not fine with you? Are you joking? I crave for you just about every night. Don't be illogical, please.

"Hahahaha!! Chillax. Just a joke. You're not ready for it. It was just to break the ice. Though, are you feeling better now?"

"....Just a joke...?"

Meanie....

"Yeah. We are done here. It's already 1 pm. We only have three hours. However, we finally started it."

"What did we start?"

"Our bond. The proper foundation has been formed. Whenever you want to advance more, tell me. That is if you want to."

Then... We already are something. We aren't 'nothing' as he previously said and right now, we are something.

But, just what are we to one another?

"Hey, Hyunda. The equivalent exchange... Does it always work, at all times?"

"Yes. That was the deal. Are you not happy about it?"

"N-No! I'm really happy about it! But... I was just wondering... Would it be fine if I... asked you more of it in the future...?"

You said that I should find someone that I could share all these feelings, but I already did. I want to share how I feel with you and receive your warmth in the process...

Our moments of happiness where we share intimacy, understanding, and simplicity, don't have to limit themselves only when we are available in certain events.

It needs to be more. All the time.

"It depends if you want to wait for the future or not. You can always ask them. Just remember, that you'll have to heed my requests back."

I want to ask a ton now... But I know I shouldn't... 

This unique opportunity... I'll treasure it.

"I'll wait. I... am not in a rush. Plus, I don't want to be too selfish nor clingy."

"It's your choice."

Hyunda, you are right. It is my choice. While I do desire anything that is entirely related to you like crazy, there are priorities.

Those priorities are not above you in the sense where they are more important. They just need to be taken care of. Ikkiri, for example.

Gosh, I'm so hyped now! I've never been this excited about destroying someone's life before!

"Alright. Then, shall we go then?"

"Yeah. Though, are we going to keep holding hands or...?"

Now that my senses have returned, this is honestly such an embarrassing event! Furthermore, if we consider the fact that he proposed something like... Waaah, I'm not gonna think about it! No, no way! I'm not ready yet...

My mind needs preparation first...!!

"S-Sorry! But anyway, what's beyond this door? It's been bugging me this whole time. Is it related to corpses as well?"

"Well, why not see it for yourself?"

Opening up the door, at last, Hyunda showed me what was beyond this door and surprisingly...

There weren't any corpses. It was a room that only had drawers. However, there were too many drawers. To the point where there was even a ladder in order to climb to extremely high-located drawers.

As I walked into this mysterious room that Hyunda somehow knew, I couldn't help but ask the question.

"Hyunda, what's inside the drawers...?"

"Pretty valuable stuff. Just a single one of them is worth millions."

"M-Millions!? But just what could be worth millions...?"

Is there even such a thing? He surely must be exaggerating...

Just what exactly could be here that is worth millions? There's nothing that can come close to millions.

"Check it for yourself. Open up one of the drawers. Let me explain something first. This is ordered by prices. The drawers that are located below are those that aren't worth that much. Of course, I'm talking about what's inside the drawers, not the drawers in general. If you climb that ladder to the top, then you will find the most valuable ones."

He's not mentioning what is inside the drawers...

Well, it can't be worse than corpses. The main reason why I truly haven't thrown up yet is that... I'm used to seeing the sight of corpses.

This isn't my first time.

"Alright..."

Hyunda is climbing the ladder while I'm doing what I'm about to do.

Though... What is this smell...? It stinks... 

"Hyundaaa, why does it smell so bad...?!"

"Don't worry! It's pretty normal!"

His voice is starting to sound distant, but that's natural considering that he is getting further and further up.

I'm sure it's nothing. It can't be worse than corpses. There is just nothing worse than corpses.

Those were my honest thoughts before attempting to open up a single drawer.

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"

"Holy hell, you're loud."

"W-What the hell is that?!"

I can't believe what I just saw. I can't unsee it. Oh my god!

"Relax! Just remove the suitcase from the drawer and it will be fine! You took your own chances when you looked inside it!"

"You could've told me that we would be checking organs! I would've prepared myself!"

Never in my life did I think that a human being's intestines could be so ugly! Uggghhh, I'm going to have nightmares for weeks!

Not unless... Not unless I can have more dreams about you, Hyunda!

"But... Just the suitcase, huh?"

Truly, it's a mystery why there are organs in here! Furthermore, how are there organs here in the first place?!

Wait... If this is considered low-price, then just what is above this...?

Nevertheless, despite my inner dialogue, I took the heavy suitcase, which I could not hold onto for too long and decided to put it down.

Hyunda was already down here, as he brought two suitcases along with him.

"Hyunda, why do you need organs?!"

"Why? I'm going to sell them. Give that suitcase to me. I'll put it on a bigger suitcase and then I'll take all three of them combined on a bigger one."

"Okay..."

How are you going to sell them though...?

Before returning all the way to the main chapel, that was my thought and it became clear once we entered a certain not-so-known place.

"Hyunda... Are we going to be fine..?"

I don't like the looks on their faces... Those eyes are full of lust...

Stop looking at me you bunch of creeps.

"Ignore them. Just continue to move."

Ahhh, Hyunda...! I love how you just don't care about anything in general.

So partial to everything else. But seriously, you could show a bit of caring, especially when I'm being eyed by some perverts across the street.

I hope you all die from an epidemic, you useless sacks of shit.

"And, we are here. Our last stop, before we actually do our stuff."

Accordingly, this should be our last stop and it's an old store, that stays in the middle of the dark slums.

Yes... This is...

"Come right up!"

A loud voice came forth as soon as Hyunda knocked on the door that was in front of us. In this dark alley, no one stood, except us.

That's right. There is only one place in this entire world where what you are about to do is accepted, supposedly.

That place is no other than...

"Hyunda... Can I ask how you know this place? This is a black market, for crying out loud!"

"Can't be helped. I'm not a subject for the program without reasons to be. Though, don't worry. This is just for the sake of making some quick money. There's nothing malicious going on."

I'm pretty sure selling biological organs is against all morals and ethics.

In a sense, that is undeniably malicious, Hyunda. Still, you have to be brave and courageous to do this!

Ahhh, I love how valiant you are! But, my love, please don't put yourself in such danger.

"Also, follow along. Don't talk and if you are asked a question, then just act normally."

"O-Okay..."

We haven't entered this store yet, but Hyunda is already applying pressure on me. How can I say this... This is sorta exciting! I never knew that he was hiding this many things!

Thus, with a firm push, Hyunda opened up the store and a massive ball of smoke came forth.

"...."

The smell of marijuana consumed the place. A single person that was dark-skinned stood in the balcony while reading a porn magazine....

H-How... 

"You came! I thought you'd never show up!"

"Sorry. I got distracted with time. Do you have it or not?"

Multiple organs could be seen in jar-bars throughout the whole store. Kidneys, brains, legs, and whatnot.

I don't think that there was any organ missing, truly. We had to walk a very long way before getting here, honestly.

Furthermore, this place stays completely isolated from the public, as it is in the underground. 

"Hey... You brought a woman with ya? You're selling that too?"

W-What?! Who does this guy think he---

"No. She's not for sale. She's already mine, sorry."

........!!

"Tch, lucky bastard. I bet she's worth millions!"

"She's worth more than millions."

A-Ahhh...!

"I see! That makes sense considering that you always had eyes for those who had the best organs! Then, do you plan on selling her?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Do you have it or not?"

Hyunda, you...! Against this creepy looking person, you just protected me! Also, you said that I wasn't for sale and that I was all yours! 

Plus, you said that I was worth more than millions... Then, does that mean I'm worth billions or more...?

Waaaah, I'm so happy!

"Hayeo, I got it. But you gotta show me the good stuff first."

"What is this? You've known me for years. What's the point of doubting me now?"

"You haven't shown up in the last months, man! I thought you were out for good?"

"For good? Explain."

"The others hate you, I'm telling you. You're making them run for their money every time. Be careful, you might die on of these days..."

What?! Who are these people...? And why do they want to kill him?! Just because you are worse than someone, that doesn't mean you should kill that person...

"Hasn't it always been like that though? What's the point in worrying now?"

H-Hyunda?! What do you mean it's always been like this?! You can't die... Not after what happened today... No, even before that, you've become the essential figure of my life. Your death isn't optional.

Although Hyunda has handed out the three suitcases to the man, I couldn't help but form a plethora of worries...

"Ohohoh! This is it! The good stuff! I'll give you more than usual! How about double the price?"

"Triple it. It's not a coincidence that I got three just for you. Plus, let me tell you something. There's just about barely anyone that can obtain a gallbladder and a urinary bladder."

T-That's what's inside the suitcases!?

"It's rare for you to be this demanding. Are you going to be away again?"

"You guessed it. I can't make my proper return. Well, it's not as if I want to return, either way. Got bigger plans in mind."

"Aight. I'll triple it. But just because I owe you."

"Oh wow, you actually remember it."

What did he mean when he said he had bigger plans in mind...?

I'm worried... He might try something far too dangerous. That's just how he is. 

But, this confirms one thing. He did do this in the past. He said that he couldn't make a proper return, which means that he has done this without a doubt. Yet, why would you do all this?

As soon as we were done here, I cursed this stupid store and the stupid-ass owner of it and left. 

I hope you get lung cancer from all the weed you smoke. Choke on your own air because it's intoxicating!

By the way, Hyunda ended up leaving with me, but with a huge bag on his back.

Crossing the unknown streets of the underground city that I never knew existed in the first place, I decided to ask Hyunda a question.

"What is inside that bag...?"

I do have a rough idea of what it is, but I should confirm what it is regardless. Basing my own assumptions on something that is not confirmed is stupid.

"2 hours. Considering that you have to get back to Sagasuga 30 minutes in advance, I would say that's the correct time we have left."

I forgot... I'll have to say goodbye to my prince in order to meet that boring person who goes by the name of Sagasuga. 

Is it too much to ask for every other human being except Hyunda and me to stop breathing? It's not hard...

Still, my question wasn't answered.

"Hyunda... You're not going to dodge the question, are you? Wouldn't that make the conversation we had earlier completely useless?"

"I was just reminding myself of the time that I have with you. Anyways, do you like jewelry?"

Jewelry...? Well, I am wearing earrings, purses and a pendant, therefore, it wouldn't be wrong to assume that I do like jewelry in general.

However...

"To be honest with you... Not really."

"Oh, is that so? I see. That's one less place to go, then."

Huh?

"Wait, what?"

As we walked on and on through the underground city that was quite populated and that had multiple attractions to it, I couldn't help to question what Hyunda meant by that.

"I was planning on taking you to a place I know, but considering the little time we have left, I would say it's important to prioritize the places I truly deem important. Therefore, I started by asking a question about your interest but now that you said you didn't like jewelr--"

"I'll go!"

Geeeeeeeeeeeezzz! My preferences aren't mandatory, you know?! 

Eventually, about 20 minutes later, still, in the underground city, we reached a crowded jewelry shop. Even though it was crowded, the people that were surrounding it never went inside the shop and would just stand and admire the pieces of jewelry. The overall prices were absurdly high. I could tell just from eavesdropping. No one would actually dare to buy them because the jewels were either extremely rare or had extremely rare minerals inside them.

Ahhh, I do recognize at least five. They are massively popular, but that's because these minerals that I know of are stupidly expensive.

Blue garnet, rubies, red diamonds, serendibite and last but not least, jadeite. Though, needless to say, they are beyond anyone's reach. I'm surprised they even bother selling it.

There's no way someone would buy jewelry this expensive.

"Some people would give their organs just to have a small piece of this. Can you believe it? How desperate do you have to be in order to go that far? All for the sake of adoration, but it's mainly just obsession. My point being, not even rich people can afford such."

By my right side, Hyunda spoke up, telling his opinion regarding this topic. While I don't find jewelry necessarily appealing, it is without a doubt, appealing to others. But, that doesn't work on Hyunda. I do know just how useless my overall looks are. 

I simply invested a lot in jewelry in the past, because my boyfriends were that easy to conquer. Truly boring, now that I think about it...

"I see. Though, what did we came here for, Hyunda?"

I've been suspecting something. In this underground city... There are a lot of rare attractions. The products that they sell are not average. They are usually in the borderline of unrealistic when it comes to prices. As a matter of fact, this jewelry shop is a good example. Unless you are rich, the likelihood of you buying something from here is negative.

"What's your favorite color?"

"Umm... This might be weird, but... I like brown as a color. Though... Either silver or white is fine!"

My preferences don't really matter, but I would say that your hair color or your eye color is automatically part of my preferences.

"Silver or white. Decide."

"That's a really hard task..."

Why can't I just have both......? On second thought...

"Um, is it possible for me to choose silver and white?! I don't know what this is about, but I can't decide between these two colors!"

Before giving me an answer, Hyunda made an exasperated look in response to my dual preferences. 

Eeeh...? Did I make him angry or something...? 

"Greedy... Alright, wait here."

"Hyunda?"

Why did he ask me to wait here? And why is he going inside the store? 

I, along with the rest of the other people that were viewing the jewelry exposition from the outside scenery watched Hyunda walking into the store with a confident posture.

"...Where have I seen him before...?"

Also from the outside scenery, a boy that looked to be around 12 years-old spoke. He looks extremely poor though... His clothes are all ripped off.

Nevertheless, despite that, I spoke to him.

"Do you know him?"

"Gahhh!!! I can't remember! Why can't I remember?! I know I recognize that face, but just where...?"

What's up with this kid...? He just screamed and vanished while sprinting off to god knows where...

Weird town. Actually, what is the name of this town? There are people around here and Hyunda for some reason is talking to the store owner right now, so I'll just ask around.

I'll start with elderly people since they know the most. Thus, I approached a very old man, who had an extremely long white beard and was admiring a pendant of diamonds midst the showcase. He looked pretty serious...

"Hello, sir?"

"Go away! Can't you see I'm busy?! Mhmmm...! I might miss out on the reflection!"

.....?

W-Why is everybody in this town suddenly... so obnoxious?!

W-Well, they can't ALL be obnoxious, right?! 

How about this young girl!? Ahhh, she looks so pretty! Her spontaneous blonde hair has such an alluring fragrance to it!

"Young girl, could you tell m-"

"Get your ticket now! Get it while it's on sale! 50% discount for those who buy it now! It will expire tomorrow! Oh!! You want this ticket!? It's yours, miss!"

No way... How did such a young and innocent-looking girl like you get corrupted into the world of advertising!? 

"I-I'll pass!"

Ahhh... This town doesn't show up on google maps either! What is this?! How come Hyunda's taking me places that technically exist but as far as the outside world goes, it doesn't exist?!

I was starting to get lost in the crowd that had raised quite a bit over the last few minutes for reason, but someone took my hand secretly in the middle of all this.

"W-What?!"

But when I noticed...

"What are you doing? You'll get lost at this rate."

That cold sensation that lies in the palm of someone's hand... it can only belong to him... And it was confirmed, from the moment he pulled me closer to his body.

"U-Ummm..."

"I know you said you didn't like jewelry, but I just want to try something. Can you stay still? I promise it won't hurt."

"Okay..."

We are closer again... in public! People are watching, but.... He doesn't seem to care...

Geez, am I not attractive, is that what you are telling me? I didn't want to use this again, but...!

"..What are you doing? I thought I told you to stay still...!"

"I-I'm not doing anything! You're imagining things!"

 How rare.... His composed expression is showing signs of being vulnerable. T-That's to be expected...!

"No way in hell am I imagining things, Arkalee. Just stay still for a second. Stop moving your head from left to right!"

It is true that I've been moving my head from left to right in order to avoid his hands. But at the same time, I've been crushing my whole body on his chest.

Hehe, I haven't forgotten how you acted back when I used this! You said it yourself, that you wouldn't be able to resist your primal instincts! 

"Or what? Hmm? What will you do?~"

I also know how embarrassing this is, but I don't seem to mind it now, because he's showing an angry reaction with a bit of frustration behind it.

Eeeeh~~ So it is like this...? Then...

"We are in public, you know, Hyunda? What do you think the others are thinking of us right now? How are they viewing us...?"

Though... I already know the answer to this question. We're being viewed as a couple. It's undeniable. Two individuals making this much physical contact...! I thought I would feel way more embarrassed but I'm feeling pretty confident.

After all, he can't do anything about this.

"That's true. You have to wonder how they will view us after this."

"H-Huh?"

His embarrassment is gone... W-Why is he smiling with so much confidence now...?! It should be working...!

"I too can play that game. Hey, I truly wonder. Can you take it? Try it, at least."

Unable to react to his quick movement, the top of my left ear felt a soft bite.

"Aaa-Aa-Ahhh....!!"

Wh-Wha.....!

"How bold...!"

"Young ones are surely living the life."

...!!!!!

"Wh-What are you---"

"Hold on. I'm not done yet. That was payback for the first time. Now, for what you did just now."

We're being watched by this crowd and he still persists no matter what...!? 

But, just what is he going to do...?

"H-Hyunda, we can't... This is a publ-"

"I don't care."

Not letting me resist, he applied another soft bite, but this time, not onto my ear, but onto my...

"K-Kyaaa!! S-Stop!"

"That's what you get. Will you stay still now or do I have to do more?"

My neck out of the places...!! Gosh, I want to die right now! This is too embarrassing! So embarrassing! I even let out a small scream in response Wooooaaaaaahhhh!!!! Kill me!

"Though... This isn't a show. All of you, fucking fuck off already!"

Perhaps I was too embarrassed to look at the whole situation, but Hyunda let out a loud shout to the public that was starting to swarm around.

Geez... I've been defeated. Was he acting all this time? Could he have had the upper edge all this time? Or was he waiting for me to commit the same action twice in order to punish me even further? Regardless of what the truth is, I really don't regret this. I'm never forgetting this moment for sure.

Now that I'm standing still while looking down, avoiding to face direct confrontation, Hyunda seems to be taking out something from his pockets.

"Face me. Otherwise, I can't put them on."

"N-No!! You're just going to do it again! I'm not falling for that!"

While it's true that our bodies are remotely connected, there isn't any embarrassment between us. What a weird sensation... I can't describe it.

"Either you face me or I'll face you instead."

Bully...!

Then...

"Face me then..."

"Alright."

It was meaningless to resist or act surprised. I know it, at this point. What he says he will do it, always happens. Is there anything that you can't do, Hyunda?

Ultimately, he faced my face just by slightly rising it up with his cold hands. I did avoid looking at him in the eye but it wouldn't matter since it's obvious that my face is red.

Surprisingly though, I felt a sensation behind the back of my two ears. Furthermore, the earrings that I had were swiftly removed with care. Subsequently, I could feel two new earrings being replaced. That cold stern sensation told it all.

"And done. Oh, right. You can't see your earrings. Guess I'll take a picture. Smile please."

Huh?

"Wai-"

Although I was going to tell him to wait, Hyunda just went on ahead and took a picture of me with his phone. Hyunda took a picture of me.

Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me. Hyunda took a picture of me.

"Hey, you there? Don't space out. Look at the picture I just took."

I was absent. I spaced out. Since I was back to my senses, I looked at the picture that Hyunda took of me andddd.....

"Delete it! Delete it now! It's so bad! Gosh, you should've given me time to prepare! I like to be good in the pictures, for your information! That doesn't count! Let's do it again!"

"Should I set it as my wallpaper?"

"Noooo!!! Please, just delete it!"

How can you choose such romantic words in such a horrible situation! Seriously!?

"That aside, can you look at your new earrings? What do you think?"

"Huh...? Wait, let me see..."

Ohhhh...! He got me new earrings... So that's why he wanted to know whether or not I liked jewelry! I'm definitely never taking these of---

"Um, Hyunda?"

"Yeah?"

Am I seeing things or...? No, I'm definitely not seeing things...! 

"...Did you by some chance get---"

"This is pretty good. Usually, since the minerals have natural colors, you can't alter the colors of them, however, the owner of the store can pull out an original painting technique and color the minerals the way he wants to. Given that the left earring is a serendibite type of mineral, it must've been hard to paint it fully silver yet it worked. Same with the other one. Can you believe it? He called it blasphemy that I wanted to bath a jadeite type of mineral into pure white. Ridiculous. I'm the buyer and he still argues back."

"W-W-Wait! Just wait! Wait a second! Serendibite and jadeite?! Hyunda, that's worth around 6 million yen! You couldn't have possibly bought them..."

Yet as I look further into the picture, I can't see tracks of any lies... They are there, but just how...?

"Do you think organs are cheap?"

"No... They are worth a lot! You must've gotten a lot of money, but I didn't think it would be that of 6 million yen..."

He's carrying a bag on his back, I know. Without a doubt, there is money there, but...

"Also, if you are planning on entering the school with that money, then... You really can't."

We, from class F, cannot enter school with anything that is beyond the school boundaries. Therefore, it's impossible to enter with that much money...

"Hey. Let's walk. I still got a place to show you. We're leaving the underground. Also, don't worry about that. I have it all figured it out. Though, did you like it or not? I need to know."

"...You don't really have to ask."

Because the answer is already obvious. How could I not be happy?! I'm not sure just how much of your overall money you wasted but... I can't believe that you went this far for me...!

Today has been full of surprises... This feels like a d-date! Ahhh, I love you so much. I don't know how many times I've repeated that to myself today, but I'll do it again.

I love you, Hyunda!

"No, but I really need to know. If you don't like them I---"

"Stupid, I love them!"

Remotely speaking, after we exited the underground city that I still didn't know what it was, we wasted that one hour doing a lot of miscellaneous things. We ate, we visited some attractions in Tokyo, we took pictures and we even went to a short theatre.

All in all, it was a fantastic day. I never imagined that an event like this would happen throughout my life and your existence absolutely fascinates me. Everything you do is outer. Every action we do together feels like a harmonic simplicity to me.

And that is why it can only be a simplicity when it's done with the two of us. 

Only us.