Ellie grabs William by his cheeks and pulls him beyond the end of the bench to the front. With his face on the bench, and body still beyond, he doesn't complain, as he expected something like those to occur.

“I am shorwy...” He mumbles, his cheek still bearing the clutch of Ellie's hand. He forces himself a bit away, enabling him to speak as well as he could. “Auch... What are you doing? I didn't expect you would be such a lazy person to be here, lying in wait, let alone sleep. Not like I didn't expect it, but still...”

“I can do what I want!” Ellie says with unhinged clarity that she is in the right. “And you... You took some time today, but I know probably why. Just look at yourself. Your face is all funny, with red or whatnot. At least you went ahead with clothes, and aren't looking like a homeless man.” Ellie says in a mocking tone, lowering her grip a bit more.

“I take great care of them now,” he argues, jolting his check aside in an attempt to get himself free. He fails with a return of tougher grip. “You shee? 10th day issh over, so today hasn't been pleasant, but great nonetheless. Wanna hear about it? I manage a couple of cool moves and my Emblem is rather good to control right now. Roman himself gave me plenty of motivation and even praises.”

Seeing his bright face, Elli helplessly sights, and lowered the grip again. “R-right... I guess I can't make your days any better anymore. You will be on your own, while I suppose you needed to learn it.”

“You think so? I will meet you from time to time. I swear to...”

“...and I don't want to hear such clumsy excuses.” Ellie stops his talk, or whatever he tries to say. “You be a good Walker, and I will be a good teacher of future ones. It's simple because that's how it goes. People serve their purpose at this age since we can't do it like before. Time changes and yours is Walker's pathway. I expected this to begin with so let's not feel sorry for me or some other things... You, or me, it's not worth it, Will.” she says, talking with a clear voice with a pleasant face that gazes right at William's.

Sighting and seeing her face like this, William couldn't help but wriggle himself out of her control and force his whole body beyond the bench. Sitting like a normal human, but feeling nothing like one, he can't do anything about this topic she mentions

.

The future may be that, but the past is already set in stone, leaving only pleasant memories behind.

Her face, time, or things they all did together? Well, there were not that many of them, but this time in the Federation was a really good time thanks to her.

Ellie thinks the same, but she didn't want to be late or regret not being with him today, until the end of the night. Promising this little thing has been her little conviction so she wouldn't have any regrets. That's what she wanted, and that's what she does exactly at this moment.

Placing her lips on his cheek, she isn't as blunt as he did in the past, but it is a passionate one, albeit a bit clumsy. Her nose hit his, while her lips stayed longer on his cheek than she would like.

Still, this is her first kiss to William, and she likes it this way. It feels good and takes very little effort. Unlike... the rest of her worrisome times before.

“This is a kiss of goodbye,” Ellie says after escaping with her head aside, looking in the distance onto the other side of the bench. “I hope you will succeed in your Academy Trial. I bet it won't be easy, as I know some things myself. Academy is like a premium place where to train walkers. A lot of resources and care are put there. Not just Federation you know? Japan or China also participates in its business and even some parts of Europe. In fact, I heard many new faces for the Trials already got there, while few also go with the Trials.” she tells with a surprising amount of excitement which overshadows the kiss by a large margin. It is her try, and it appears to be successful

William doesn't seem that shocked by her word, but the kiss? He took it like a man, but secretly, he wished he would scowl and cry at the moon. He never got a kiss from a girl. Never. It was always survival that, work for this, and Walker that. #

He would be even inclined to do so himself if that means a goodbye kiss for her, but here she is, doing it instead. Ellie was faster than his hesitant ass, but he doesn't mind. In fact, he accepts Ellie's words with a tight hug. It is the basic what he feels he should do, and tonight feels surprisingly warmth. Be it inside, or outside.

“Get away.” she pushed him, yet pinch his cheeks. “You are so overworked already. A shower or washing your face would work wonders.”

“I guess you are right.” William blushes and scratched his face. “Also, I will take this into consideration and won't allow any failure. I will do this Trial, even though it means turning some chances for others.”

“Right! That's what I am talking about.” Ellie says without hesitation and gets up from the bench. Her white dress with flowery stripes flickers and sways in the comforting gust of wind, making her appear pretty as a fresh breeze itself.

Just now, William notices she has the same dress she used on some days when she forced him to the Federation.

A youthful freshness makes her appearance ad more flavor, while the hair is the cherry on top. It is a little longer than usual, making her appear a bit more mature, and different than 2 months ago. She is growing it out for a new job and environment that will need some adjustment in her life or appearance. This is just the start.

“Y-you look great...” William mutters, scratching his face a bit more.

“And you look terrible,” Ellie says in return, grabbing his shoulder to make him stand up as she pats his shoulders.

“I know...”

“Take good care of yourself at least. I don't want to look at you if will end up with nasty scars or something along those lines...” she hesitates, remembering many instances of many Walkers she has seen in the past. “Some of them ended up with bodies full of wounds and crazy scars. Some were nasty, others unnoticeable, while some left some impression, but she didn't like most of them. On William? She doesn't want to see him wounded.”

“Would you not see me work for humanity like that?” William asks, expecting a good answer, but even he doesn't know what is he capable to do against the Dark.

“Maybe? I don't know. Scars and wounds are part of it. That would mean a lot of pain would be included, and I don't want you to go through it.”

“How about not talking about pessimistic things like wounds, pain, and death? Isn't it bad to talk about it when we part ways?”

“I... there is no pessimistic thigns... Those are harsh realistic expectations and....” Ellis stops by the interventions of William's fingers across her lips. William stops her next sentence as he doesn't want to go over this topic.

“It's late, so how about a visit to the beach?” he offers his idea, which is met with her surprised face. “It can be the last thing before tomorrow. I leave in less than 10 hours or so Roman said.”

Ellie nods without hesitation. With a cheerful smile on her face, she grabs his left arm under her armpit and winces him away to the street.

“Let's go then. This day won't come again.”

“Like many days before this day, but that doesn't mean a day like this can't happen in the future,” William argues, and begins the journey which wouldn't take that long.

It would mean an hour of less sleep which he finds worth the effort if it makes things right with Ellie.

The pair leaves the street, and no one is left there.

In a bit, Roman appears too, as he doesn't feel inclined to do anything but care for his successful 10-day period of training, even though it ended up wiht 9 instead.

“Well, I did probably agree to tag along anyway, so who am I kidding.” he sights and shakes his head.

He has no business here in the Federatio any longer, so he will follow his path to the hotel where he stays.

Though, for some time, he couldn't help but observe William sitting on the bench from inside the Institution. Leaving would be a bit too weird since he had nice company. He doesn't want to make things stranger or weirder between the young pair, so he waited until they were gone.

“It's great to be young. It's... Who am I kiddin'... only me.” he sneers and walks like a normal human would do, instead of his usual ridiculous flying or whatnot.

He doesn't notice a figure that also watched William and Ellie. In fact, it's not just one figure, as they are crafty with their methods. A handful of figures indeed. Even Roman hasn't realized he has been followed, or he did? It is a question to be asked, yet the answer wouldn't come.

The night crept, with a cloudless moon and nice weather to go along with nice memories.

Something happened today. Something magical, yet it cares not for some, while others care too much about it.

The shining sun took over the horizon, and the next day comes for the morning people.

Sunshine strikes William's face, awakening him as usual. Well, the usual would be to have blinds on his windows, but it appears it's not the case today. Stretching his neck and face, he curses the sun in his mind, and not out loud. Surprisingly, he doesn't remember much from the last night, nor when he went to sleep.

There have been some things with Ellie, the beach and... “Wait... what!?” he jolts to the reality all so suddenly he shakes his whole bed and looks to the left.

There, a sleeping Ellie is slumbering in her dress as if dreams are more important to her than anything else. Albeit, the sudden movement that Allan causes awakes her too.

“Morning... Is it morning already? Huh?! Ah!” She jolts herself away, almost falling from the bed which is barely enough for two people. She isn't surprised, but more shocked and filled with confusion. She calms down after understanding where she is, but that doesn't question the answer to why is she in his room. THIS is his room, since it's not hers, obviously.

William gapes his mouth, unaware of what is going on. Ellie is the same.

An awkward silence later, they both understand what is their current situation. Something strange happened, or they were both so tired last night, that they ended... like this?

That seems unlikely in Ellie's opinion, while William is more shocked about the loss of memories. He has always been a good learner, and good memories come with that skill.

They are both clothed at least, but William is shirtless since he is used to that when he sleeps. Ellie has still her dress, which doesn't answer anything. They both did nothing but glance at each other, figuring out what is even right or wrong wiht this.

Scratching his head, William feels kind of awkward, as he doesn't remember how exactly Ellie ended up going with him to his home, but here she is.

There is nothing he could do about it, so he accepts it and takes the shirt from the ground before forcing his body through it. It isn't the one from yesterday, but not like he cares.

He looks for his watch which is nowhere to be seen. The clock on the wall is there, but he likes his pocket clock better. He finds it in his left pocket, unlike the usual table where he leaves most things in his possession before sleeping.

Unlike William, Ellie isn't awkward or ashamed at all, which only provides more awkwardness to William. She sits on the side of the table while remaining silent.

“Are you fine?” William asks in worry. “D-do you remember something from tonight?”

Ellis shakes her head, uttering a simple “No.” at the end.

They even shared a bed, as there is nothing else apart from the sofa in the living room, but what happened, happened. It is already in the past, so there is no point in thinking about it.

“Well... Do you want some breakfast? It's right about 7:30 AM. Mi-Yung will bring some great things for the breakfasts so perhaps this whole mystery will solve itself. She usually waits for me deep into the night anyway, so she must know why are you here.” William says to ease the silence. His words cheer Ellie a little, albeit it doesn't solve the memory part at all. So, she gets up from the bed and follows William who appears the same as yesterday.

His face is still a little dirty, but he smelted off the salt. She... She slept with him, so she knows it.

In the kitchen, to the surprise of nobody, but Ellie. William brings a friend over, which... is strange only for Luke, as he didn't know about Ellie at all. Only Mi-Yung knows this girl.

Initially surprised, Luke accepts the new arrival and thinks nothing of it as with most things that would happen around him.

On the other hand, Mi-Yung has quite a surprised smile on her face as she sees both of them appear. It is followed by a mischievous one and a meaningful chuckle, but it is met with their confusion.

It seems she doesn't know why they came back late. Neither William nor Ellie can remember if they saw her before sleeping or not.

William still remembers the beach and some walking, as well as some talk with Ellie and his overall tired mood.

Awaking like this has been a surprise, but an acceptable one?

Probably.

He hasn't planned any unforgettable last day for her. Just a day to be remembered, yet even that becomes forgotten.

It's a shame as strange.

“Good morning.” Both Elie and William greet at the same time.

There are 4 places on the table so, the 2 pairs face each other.

Both William and Luke grab whatever food is in the middle, beginning their unrestrained breakfast. While they are at it, Mi-Yung prepares some food, and Ellie joins her as well.

Standing beside each other, Ellie whispers to her ear.

“This is so strange... I don't remember anything about last night at all.”

“You don't?” Mi-Yung cuts some ham and sausage, glancing at her with her left side as she chops them to round slices. “What happened is more of a question. Have you come to look for him yesterday? Did you want to spend the last night with him? He won't be here for a good while, you know?” she said with a rather strong whisper, that must have been overheard, yet the boys ate happily on the table.

“I know that, but I wouldn't spend a night with... I mean....” she hesitated, blushing from Mi-Yung's slight smile and nudge of her elbow to her side.

“It's fine if you feel that way.” Mi-Yung continued. “But, I don't know when, or why you both arrived though,” she said back with some seriousness and her own wondering question. She would remember that, right?

Ellie shrugs her arms, chopping some vegetables or whatnot to ease her confusion away.

“Do you have a blank space in memory or the sort of blankness that appears when drunk or so tired, your brain thinks of nothing?” Mi-Yung asks seriously since Ellie seems worried quite a bit about it.

It may be worrisome if it's something strange, but it would be understandable if drinking or triteness happened. Some voided memories could happen to anyone since the human brain adjust the memories and tosses a huge chunk of useless ones away quite often.

Mi-Yung too has some voided memories, but that could be because of drinking, which in her case feels quite possible. Though, she has excellent memory too, so the cause of forgetting something without alcohol involved is slim in her case.

Similar to her is also Ellie, who is somewhat puzzled by that, since she never tasted alcohol, and her work isn't overly tiring for now. She even took a 1-hour long nap on that bench. She wasn't tired at all and she knew it.

Also, she is sure she would remember last night, but she can't shake the feeling that something went.. in another direction. A bad, or good one? She can't remember it for god knows why.

Even the decision where they both came to this apartment is outside of her memory. It's far from the beach anyway, and along the way is also her home, and she had no intention of staying wiht him overnight.

“Don't think much of it.” Mi-Yung pats her shoulder,r stopping her rough chopping that does nothing but possible harm. “I don't think it should be anything bad, so calm down, sit, and eat,” she assures Ellie who doesn't think much of her words instead.

She is still worried, but on the table beside William instead. She doesn't eat, but the rest of the table eats well over what 3 would eat anyway.

After some time, sumptuous plates filled with the nicest breakfast possible are all over the table. All 4 of them sit and begin the true breakfast in Mi-Yung terms.

Toast, vegetable plates, dozens of scrambled eggs with some beans, sausages, and so on. There are even more sandwiches, morning tacos, or kebab bread and meat aside from the table.

Some would even think that Mi-Yun is trying to feed dozen people, but that isn't the case.

About 20 minutes into it, the knocking on the door stops this serene and satisfying morning.

“Do we expect Roman today as well?” Luke asks with half a sausage outside of his mouth.

William stops eating, thinking for a second before being unsure himself. “Yes? I suppose there is something with him too. Let me check.”

Walking to the door, he suddenly remembers the reason for his arrival, but even that, was almost forgotten by him. A small thin layer of wonder and question is more and more firm in his mind, that something indeed happened last night. Something that shouldn't be normal, or good.

Opening the door, Roman is there with the same clothes, but a bit more pale face than usual. Though, at this point, William doesn't pay much attention to his appearance, since a lot happened last 9 days.

“Good morning. I suppose I expected you, so have a seat inside.”

“Yea yea. I will do so for the last time.” He answers and goes without changing or lowering the number of clothes on his body.

Going straight to the kitchen by the direction of his nose as well as something else.

Unlike his expectations, he meets the girl who was with William last night. Right, he remembers her appearance on that bench.

“N-No space for me?” Roman asks, kind of sad but not surprised as William takes the last seat.

“Have a seat on the sofa.” Mi-Yung points behind the kitchen, halfway eating as she chewed some sandwiches. “Here is a plate which should be enough.” Then, she places a rather heavy plate in his hand. That is about what she is willing to give him. It has a little bit of everything, so Roman accepts this offering, and takes a seat on the sofa without any argument or talking.

Ellie looks at Roman behind her back, and strangely enough, wonders if she has seen him before or not. She is uncertain about it in the same way as the last night.

Noticing her questionable stare, Roman changes his seat to not face her at all, nor the whole table at all.

William keeps eating without issue or finding it all that strange. A good breakfast is important so here goes his priority. Yet, Elli hasn't eaten much of anything, and Roman's arrival makes a strange addition to this situation. She constantly shifts her gaze to his back, and sure enough, an appearance of shadowy figure temporarily appears in her mind.

She looks at William, and forces her poking elbow into his body, stopping his eating for a moment. Then, a couple of eyebrow moves along with eyes pointing to the living room, provides enough points to make her intent understood. Elli has no idea who that is, so she questions who that is.

Mi-Yung long ago introduced Luke to her, so that leaves Roman in the unknown, and strange sight since this memory jolt is from last night for sure.

“Him?” William mumbles, pointing wiht his fork to Roman's back who ate his fill. “It's Roman. He has been my instructor for the last 9 days. He has some past with Mi-Yung, so he gets some food here for free, I suppose.” He whispers to her, yet it is a futile attempt to let it be secret. Everyone hears him, even when he mumbles with a meal in his mouth.

However, this information leads nowhere.

“His instructor... Hmm...” Ellie thinks and begins eating as well after having this question answered.