Unexpectedly, after the class was suspended, Hyunda asked me if I was available. He additionally added that he thought that It would be great if he and I could have a conversation.

By conversation, it would mean that we would trade words with one another. By doing that, we are interacting. By interacting, we are spending a certain amount of time with one another. By spending time with one another, we are growing closer and closer!

Naturally, I couldn't be happier. While it's a complete shame that today's event was suspended for a day, I guess that can wait. There is no rush here.

After class with Hyunda... And only Hyunda... Ahhhh...

As I got to the respective plaza which was a plaza located around the outside of Block B, which stayed at the North of the school, I continuously waited and waited.

Our texts have started to increase. Obviously, I can't help but stare at them every time. Should I print every single text and put them in my room as furniture? And besides, his texts are so formal! There is never a single typo nor overuse of emojis! Perfection! Plus, they are always long and rich! Every profound detail in them has me staring at my phone for hours straight.

I could hardly get any sleep yesterday.

Nevertheless, the actuality is sometimes extremely disappointing. Even when you are going through the best phase of your life. A phase that you never saw it coming yet it's a phase that makes you be glad that you are alive. You rejoice every moment without a second thought.

Yet...

"Hi there. I hope you don't mind. Hyunda said I could come along."

Why.

"Y-You brought someone along, Hyunda!? How nice! Super nice! Great idea! Hi there, Daniel! What a pleasant surprise!"

Why is this vermin sporadic lump of tainted flesh standing by my majestic prince's side right now?

Why did you bring this irrelevant pillock with you? Wasn't this our moment?

"Thanks..."

Suddenly, I consumed all my lemon ice tea in one go through my straw rapidly. I couldn't help but enter a state of short delirium. On one side I'm feeling extremely happy that my charming prince is right in front of me.

On the other side, there is this lickspittle candle who still has not stated his reason for being here.

"He wanted to come along. I hope you don't mind. He's harmless, don't worry."

"Of course, I don't mind! The more the merrier!"

Die. Die. Die. Die. Die.

Hang yourself up. Slice your wrists. Drown in a blood pool of your own toxic blood. Bang your head against a wall.

Get all sorts of possible diseases that there are out there for you to catch. Grab an open electricity circuit and feel the staggering lethal electricity. Set yourself on fire. Cover yourself in gasoline and jump to a fire camp filled with corrosive firedamp.

Slide into an eruptive volcano and feel the infernal heat scourge every part of your body as you evaporate in a requiem of pain and suffering. Suffocate and vanish from this world by the effects of asphyxia. Contemplate your miserable life as you wait for a train to end you in a railway.

"Hey, Daniel. Who do you think did it?"

My obscure mundane thoughts were cleared instantly just from the sound of his relaxed voice.

In contrast to Daniel's absolutely horrendous and despicable existence, Hyunda remains.

Ahhhhh, it's so impressive, my love. How can you banish all the darkness in my heart so fast like that?!

"Are you talking about Ikkiri's case?"

You cursed creature, that name is banned! How dare you speak it in front of us! Of course an outsider like you wouldn't know but out of all the words that are out there you utter the one I absolutely cannot stand! Daniel, you possess an irreplaceable annoyance!

"What else?"

This has to stop. Just a single word that comes out this spineless ninnyhammer's mouth makes my emotions quake in a very malicious and cryptic way.

I won't allow you to dominate this conversation.

"Ummm! I've been thinking and... Isn't Tateyana really the one...?"

"It's been bothering me ever since this afternoon, but why exactly did you two choose Tateyana out of all the people in the class?"

Is he criticizing an idea that Hyunda and I come up with together? Not an idea that Rayazaki and Yukishiro had any involvement in, but an idea that Hyunda and I... Hyunda and I...!

"That was Yukishiro's idea. Arkalee and I had no saying on our parts. We just went along, Daniel."

....!!

"Oh, I see. I just found it strange. Still, that was pretty good by Arkalee. I surely thought that it was a group decision, after all."

H-Hyunda... You lied for me! It wasn't Yukishiro's idea but it was an idea that you and I thought together from the start! And since you didn't want Daniel to view our idea in the wrong light, you lied and said that it was Yukishiro's idea!

For our collective idea's relevance and overall existence, you defended us both!

"It was easy!"

Daniel's useless praise means literally nothing to me. Whether Daniel speaks or not, his relevance will not increase.

It can, however, make his irrelevance become more irrelevant the more he speaks, which is gradually working.

"Although you say that, Arkalee, it was pretty hard for you. Let's hope our choice as a group gets chosen."

"Y-Yes! I'm sure our choice will get chosen! Without a doubt!"

Although, my love, you are wrong about something... It's not the group's choice that matters. Numbers that aren't the equivalent of you and I are completely and masterfully irrelevant.

"Hyunda, your group will lose though."

Why does he bother to open his mouth?! I don't get this! All you speak is rubbish and rubbish! Every word you utter gives me ear pain!

Yet, despite this, my love coincidentally faced this trash overlord with peerless confidence and a heavenly smile.

"Strong words. What exactly makes you think that, Daniel?"

"If we go by the assumption that the one that has the most votes will be chosen, then the choice my group will make will reign superior to yours."

Daniel's so dumb. Seriously dumb. His group choice doesn't even matter in the first place.

This is just an event to mess with Ikkiri's emotions and everyone's emotions in the process.

Who cares about your little assumption? Nobody.

"Thus far there are 4 different votes. For your group to win, your group will have to pick someone that already has been chosen. Though, it's weird to call this a win. Is your group going to go with the flow?"

"With the flow...?"

How can you not understand what Hyunda is saying?! He's even going through unnecessary lengths just to explain it to you! I would claim that you need to use your brain, Daniel, but you clearly don't have it!

Geez, all of this makes me want to squeeze my ice tea cup! It's empty and dry now, but I'm furious.

"By going with the flow I mean by going with a choice that has already been chosen. For example, if your group picks Yukishiro as the target, if group 5's target is someone that has not been targetted yet, then your group will surely come out victorious. Along with group 3. This is what I mean by going with the flow."

Ahh, your kindness is truly overwhelming. Even though your cold-hearted attitude often shows once your words glacially open up to the outside world, you still bother to explain such simplicity to a feeble-minded person like Daniel.

"Yeah, it's that simple, I guess. But, to answer your question, I think Tatsu's the one who did it."

I can't believe that my potential date is slowly being interrupted every time by Daniel. Every time I want to open my mouth he bothers to open his mouth and out of all the people on this planet.... out of all the 7 billion people on this planet, that exist...

"Tatsu? Why do you think so?"

Also, Daniel's choice is extremely simple and primary.

Of course simple-minded creatures like Daniel would think that Tatsu is the one who wrote all those facts.

I bet that his reasoning is that Tatsu did it because he failed the previous exam due to Ikkiri's absence.

What a gigantic retard!

"Ikkiri's absence made him lose the previous exam. It's illogical to just ignore this. What if he acted on revenge?"

Look at you, trying to play the detective. Feeling important yet? Well, too bad.

You'll never find out who did it. As a matter of fact, it's not just you.

This goes for every single one of you.

"Aren't you viewing Tatsu a little bit too harsh...? Hyunda failed the previous exam due to my absence and he didn't do anything... Aren't you just assuming his behavior a little bit too much?"

"But Hyunda and Tatsu are completely different. Tatsu could've simply acted on the premise of revenge or spite."

Why is arguing back? Do I need to prove him wrong?! God, these pests just keep on crawling!

Where do they come from!? Why are there people like you, Daniel, who have the maximum level of audacity to interrupt the moments I cherish the most?!

"T-Tatsu isn't that type of person! I've been with him for two months straight! I know him a lot! He wouldn't do something so spiteful as this..."

Why is he looking at me with those distrustful eyes... Why are you doubting me, Daniel?

Do you honestly think that you know more than I do? Of course you do. You have no idea that this was part of my plan.

"That doesn't justify it completely though. The possibility is there. Plus, his sudden bursts of anger make me question whether he wouldn't do something as spiteful as this."

"You're too negative, Daniel! You need to relax, relax. You have to look at things from the other side... It's not right to blame Tatsu just for the coincidental event that took place..."

It was not coincidental whatsoever. I already had in mind the thought of using the previous event to my advantage.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

It's only natural that the blame goes to Tatsu.

"My negativity has nothing to do with this. Who cares about if it's right or not? Coincidence or not, it doesn't change the fact that it happened. What about you, Hyunda? Who do you think did it?"

"I already answered you. We think that it was Tateyana."

"No. I mean, you. Not you and Arkalee."

"Same choice."

"......Really?"

I was ready to rebuke Daniel's malevolent rude behavior right away yet it happened so magically.

The 'We' part completely caught me off guard. He's no longer thinking of himself individually, but, with me as well.

"Yep! Our decision is gonna win, isn't that right, Hyunda?!"

"If group 5 and 6 vote for Tateyana, then, without a doubt. However, if they don't vote for Tateyana, then we won't win."

Oh....

"I see..."

I already knew that. I was just... expecting a more kind answer... Looks like we still have ways to g---

"But, it doesn't matter if we win or not, right? Isn't our decision what truly matters? This isn't some competition, Arkalee."

"A-Ahh...! Yes! Our decision! That's---"

"Now that you mention it, Hyunda, what happens if group 5 votes for a person that has already been chosen and then, subsequently, my group votes for someone who has already been chosen, but is not the one group 5 picked?"

Diiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Over and over, you keep on stealing our dialogue! Just go away already! Nobody likes you!

Get lost!

"Daniel, word, please."

"Oh? What is it?"

Surprisingly enough, Hyunda didn't answer his question and opted to change the initial trajectory.

This time around, instead of his usual attitude, he had a more serious and stoic attitude, as he faced Daniel clearly.

"It's bad manners to interrupt someone while that someone is speaking."

"Is it really that important? I just want to make my point."

"Your point can come across in a reasonable time. You have to consider the one you are talking to. If this was a conversation between you and me solely, then I wouldn't mind. But Arkalee is here. She didn't interrupt you a single time, did she? Treat her equally and accordingly."

"What the hell man, are you white-knighting her?"

"This isn't a white-knight move. I'm pointing out your lack of manners. You came along on your own accord and that's fine. However, aren't you being rudely unjust?"

No way...

"...I can't help it, man. I'm just rude in general. You should know this by now."

"Still not my point. If you lack basic manners then practice them. For example, apologize to Arkalee for interrupting her. If she had done the same to you, then I would keep my mouth shut. Because that would be equal treatment. Weren't you the one who boasted about equality?"

"Do I really have to do this? I regret my action, alright?"

"Then show that you regret your action by sincerely apologizing. Just because we are criminals in official records, that doesn't give you the ultimate excuse of abusing the kindness of others. Or are you immature to the point where you can't see the obvious truth?"

Is he...

"I can't believe you are making me do this, Hyunda... But, I can't argue against your point. Even if it's in my nature, I did act rudely. And for that... I apologize, Arkalee..."

Did Hyunda just go out of his way to protect me?

Is this really happening?

"A-Ah, it's okay! You don't have to bow like that, Daniel! I truly understand!"

No matter how many apologies you throw at me, you will always remain the way you are.

That being; trash.

But, more importantly...

"Now that's done, I'll answer your question, although it won't amount to much. The scenario you suggested implies that there should be a draw. If there are two people with the same amount of votes, then it's completely up to Yuka-sensei. The outcome will be a draw, in that scenario of yours."

It happened... Against Daniel's impudent rudeness, Hyunda scolded him and taught him something incredibly basic all for the sake of making Daniel apologize to me...

That heroic act that you forced yourself to do, just for the sake of taking care of my emotions...

I seriously don't know what I would do without you.

"Any thoughts on what Yuka-sensei can potentially do in that scenario?"

Daniel looked at me as well.

Oh.

Hahaha.

You think just because you are trying to take my opinion into consideration that this changes something?

Hahahaha.

I want to have a serious conversation with your parents and just tell them that there is something that surpasses the thin irrelevancy that swirls the translucent lustrous air.

Your existence.

"Oh, I don't know... What do you think, Daniel? I'm sure you have something on your mind, right? Show us what you've got!"

My sarcasm can't be recognized due to the image I keep.

The only person who has seen a glimpse of my true self is Hyunda and that will forever be the case.

No other person will ever see this dark side of me. It's reserved for Hyunda alone!

Yet this clueless waste of oxygen kept on wondering.

"There is the option of both receiving equally the blame, but I doubt that's going to happen. Something will probably be made in order to decide who is the actual culprit between the two. A contest, maybe?"

It seriously makes me laugh how serious he is about this. What an arcadian.

"That could be the case... What do you think, Hyunda...?"

Hyunda, instead of paying attention to the current conversation, was admiring the coffee he had ordered not so long ago, while additionally adding an insane amount of sugar to it.

Does he like coffee...?

There are so many things I want to ask you... But...

He's in the way.

"A contest shouldn't be a bad assumption, as Daniel said. However, it can't be any contest. By logic alone, the contest must have a point. There should be certain criteria that could determine who the culprit is based on the interaction of the two individuals."

The smooth way he drinks his coffee... The way he appreciates it... These details might seem irrelevant at first, but...

Everything you do has a certain magic in it. The way you look, the way you act, the way you talk, the way you speak your mind...

I love everything about you.

"Bzzzz..."

A disturbing vibration interrupted my holy thought process. That unnecessary sound came from Daniel's phone, of course.

Who else could it be? Who else would have the gal to act out of his way in such a moment of admiration?

I'm starting to think that maybe I should give Ikkiri a little bit of company. Daniel would fit her as a 'company' perfectly.

"Shouldn't you pick that call?"

Hyunda, out of caring, asked that to Daniel, who was just staring at the phone instead of picking up the call, for whatever reason.

What is even the point of you having someone's contact if your goal isn't to interact? You are so dumb and illogical, but that's already something I know for certain.

"Yes... But, I won't. The truth is... I'm facing a dilemma, right now."

News flash: No one gives a fuck about it.

"Well, what is it?"

Ahhh, my love... You... Even in the presence of such a low life form, you go out of your way to help.

That wouldn't be the case if such a low life form wasn't here in the first place.

As I thought... It's not just Ikkiri who I need to put down.

"....Hypothetically speaking, if you were someone who got into a deep connection with someone else yet for some odd reason you suddenly cut off all possible contact, how would you face that person...?"

"You know, this is a lot easier if you are more direct. Choose your words better."

"I see... Then... How would you face a girl that you have had a deep connection with?"

H-How the hell can he suggest such a scenario!

Imbecile!

"You're not being entirely direct... Well, whatever. If you are wondering how to talk to a girl after you caught all possible contact, then why not ask a girl herself?"

My heart quaked as soon as Hyunda solely focused his eyes on my whole being.

Furthermore, he took into consideration that my existence could potentially benefit the situation. I know that Daniel's problems are completely and ridiculously pointless to just about anything, but if Hyunda is the one that asks me, then it's all good.

Even trash can uphold minimal relevancy in front of Hyunda.

"You can ask me any question! I'll answer it..."

"Hmm...."

So doubtful. Man up already.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You coward. Not only do you get in my way but even when I humbly comply with your stupid request you sink in your self-doubt?

I hope you die from cancer.

"It's alright! I know how hard it is to open up! But, you don't have to worry! We won't tell anyone!"

"You can trust us."

We are already talking simultaneously... This level of synergy... I want it at all times.

Certainly, the situation doesn't have to matter as long as we are able to have this...

Nonetheless, this dickless cunt refused to look at us in the eye.

".....Arkalee, how would you confront someone who has been in touch with you on an emotional level yet suddenly, that person caught all contact from you?"

"Well... I would still give that person a chance! I'm sure that the person must have a great reason to avoid me, so I would understand. I live to please, so the person who cut me off should have a valid reason. Therefore, as long as you have a valid reason, you should be fine!"

No way that would happen.

For example, if Hyunda cut off contact from me, I wouldn't just stay still and succumb to depression. Sure, I would feel hurt and sad, but I would find out why he did what he did and what made him act that way.

However, for the best, I pray that that day never comes.

Or else the one who brought that event to the surface will feel my dreadful wrath thoroughly.

"Yeah... About that... Let's just say that there is a very high chance of me not having a valid reason. In the scenario where that person who cut off contact from you, without a real reason, would you still give that person a chance?"

This is confusing me.

Can't this piece of garbage get to the point already?

"...That's hard to say... But I suppose every person deserves at least an opportunity! Don't give up!"

Honestly, if Hyunda cut off all contact with me, for no reason, I might just end it all.

But that's just straight-up unlikely. I can't have these negative thoughts about Hyunda.

I love him, after all.

"Hyunda, what do you think?"

"You won't know it until you try it. You can run all the stimulations you want in your head, but what happens, in reality, is what actually counts, for the record. Give it a shot."

This is the ideal climax right now. Daniel gets his doubts cleared and he proceeds to move on.

Come on, just disappear! You are being a candle right now! Can't you see how out of place you are right now?!

"Ehhh, alright. Well, I'll get going now. Sorry for being a bother."

"N-No! You weren't a bother at all!"

"Well, thanks, I guess."

Radiantly smiling, I cleared some of Daniel's emotional doubts instantly.

And given that he was getting up from his seat, it was a sign that he was about to leave.

Amazing, Daniel! You finally realized how inconvenient your existence, in general, is to this moment!

Also, I was being truthful when I said that he wasn't a bother.

Because saying that he was a bother would be a complete understatement.

Alas, eventually, after Daniel left, Hyunda firmly looked at me like never before....

"We are all alone now, Arkalee."

"Oh yeah! W-Well, that was surprising! I didn't know you were going to bring him along."

I'm still slightly happy regardless. Due to Daniel's rudeness, I got to see his heroic act as he defended me...

And for that reason alone, your existence contributed its only purpose, Daniel.

"That was my bad. I should've said something about it, shouldn't I?"

"Ah, no please, it's fine! I just thought that this was supposed to be something just for the two of us, hahahaha."

"And it was. You don't look too pleased though. Hey, be honest. This was a bad twist, wasn't it? I did invite you out but I brought Daniel along. You don't have to fake it."

Ahhhhhh.... Why are you so hard on me, love? Don't you know that I become noticeably weak when you give me chances to open myself emotionally like this...?

I can't help but feel sucked into this spiral of love whenever we trade these moments...

"Well, he was really annoying. Plus, quite rude. And... thanks for standing up for me... It really means a lot..."

Ahh, being truthful and honest feels good. How do I say this... It's really good for relieving accumulated tension, which I have a lot.

"The world probably hasn't been the kindest to Daniel. That's why he can appear as a rude and blatant individual. But, don't think too harsh about him, just because he came along."

"But... How am I supposed to think of him as someone who isn't a bother when his presence is...?"

"Doesn't it bother you how much attention you pay to people you don't exactly care for in the first place?"

"Eh...?"

What are you saying... I only pay attention to you...

"Why do you think you are so bothered with his presence?"

"That's... I already explained it. This was supposed to be something between us. He was in the way..."

I hope he doesn't think I'm being rude to him...

That's not my intention...

"I didn't know that. You have to tell me. I can't guess your preferences. Unless you don't want to."

"But will you really accept my preferences?"

"That goes without saying. Wasn't that what we agreed on? Remember the equivalent exchange?"

Of course, I'm aware of it. Hyunda's been avoiding saying the bitch's name in every single one of our conversations. Even when outsiders are around, as long as I am there, he won't say it.

You don't know how happy I am for that, do you?

"I don't want to abuse it... I know that I'm asking too much and..."

"It's not really much. There's nothing I can't do. Try me."

His confidence is making my heart steam. How is it possible to have this much confidence in your own words?

He doesn't waver with his own words in front of me... We are just a few centimeters away, but I wish you could hold me right now. Would I feel the way you feel if we got closer, even by another centimeter?

"Alright, alright. Then, can you, um, not bring any friends along anymore?"

"That's fine with me. You should tell me next time how you want things to go. Because then, I can make the right preparations. And most surely, avoid these scenarios."

Aaaaahhhhhh...

"By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you..."

"Ask!"

Geeeeez, why does he hesitate when it comes to questions?! I'm yours, you idiot.

You just don't know it yet...

"Has Tateyana directly confronted you yet?"

Hearing another girl's name gave me a tsunami of anxiety and fear, but it all vanished shortly after.

Please don't toy with my feelings like this...

Maybe I should ask him to ban all the girls' names that aren't mine...

"No... But, what is this about...?"

"You provoked her. Plus, you claimed that she was the real culprit. That will leave her with a certain degree of rage for you. But since you two haven't crossed yet in your dorm, then that's better."

Is he preoccupied that Tateyana might do something that will endanger me?

How kind...

If so... Then, I'll be a little bold I guess...

"....What do I do if she decides to do something against me...? She might be crazy enough to harm me... I'm kinda scared..."

"You're right. That's a problem. Tateyana could very well assault you every time that I'm not there. I can safely guard you if I'm there, but I can't enter your dorm, so that complicates things a little bit, then..."

Safely guard me...? Is he saying that I'm always going to be protected by him while he's around...?

That's... Ahhhh, I see! I protect him and he protects me! That's our signature for sure! That must be it!

Yet for some reason, he's hesitating to say his next words...

Unconsciously, I took a bite out of my lips and asked him:

"...What is it? Do you want to discuss something...?"

With now his eyes on me once more, Hyunda spoke words that struck my heart deeply.

"If you are feeling insecure, then you can come into my room. I can make it so no one notices you entering the dorm. By doing this, you'll have a chance to avoid Tateyana every single time. She can only corner you in your dorm. Outside of that, I can always be there. That's my ultimate offer."

His room... His room... The two of us... Alone... In his room... In one night.

A-Ahhh... D-Don't tell me he's...!

"Ummmmmmmmm.... A-Are you serious right now...? I don't think I'm ready yet...!"

Hyunda, you idiot...! My feelings can't take this sudden burst!

Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!

"Oh, I see. I guess you just don't want it then. You don't want to endanger your own position. That makes sense. That was dumb of me to question. Of course you wouldn't be ready for it. What was I thinking, honestly? I'm sorry fo-"

"Don't misunderstand, you idiot...! That was not it! Um... I need to do some thinking! Bye!"

In a rush, I took off and ran back to my dorm while attempting to hide all these lustful thoughts that started to crawl out of nowhere.

But oh god... His room?!

Hyunda...

It's unfair...

It's unfair because no matter how much I think about it, I won't come into terms with these thoughts of mine yet the truth is...

I'll be ultimately defenseless whenever it comes to you.