Not a word… not even a sound has come out of Yuuga's mouth.

There are indeed things that other people can't see but only yourself, metaphorically. What Souhei was unable to see on the minutes of Yuuga's standstill was the extreme weight of responsibility pulling him down from his dropping shoulders.

Souhei tried to speak, but he realized who knows how and what Yuuga is feeling right now. Humans can be unreasonable at this kind of situations. Whether one speaks of something good or bad, a whirlwind of emotions will not be able to interpret it. That is, it is something unforgettable from the writing of his father, and he is possibly seeing it in its truest.

He pulled anew his phone to his ear, assuming that he called back to the unknown number.

"What do you want…"

"Let's talk terms. I will send you my location so we can negotiate. If you don't find me in two hours, you know what is to follow."

"I'm obediently listening to you… You better not be joking around."

"Of course, of course. I have my word with you.

Say… want to hear her voice?"

*beep*

Yuuga immediately checked his message and started to walk on quick steps.

"**S-Senpai… Where are you going…?"

"**Where do you think? To Mina, of course. If you're going to follow then just shut up."

"**But Yuuga-senpai… can you really trust that? What if it's a trap…?"

"…"

"**Senpai… by any chance… did the caller know you? Did they know that you're a mangaka…?"

"**My names, yeah."

"**Then that might be someone blackmailing you…! Who knows what they could do?! There are so many people blackmailing authors… Imagine if they try to threaten you and your work… they might even kill you…"

"**Tell me a reason why I need to care about my work?"

Souhei's hair stood all at once.

It was the first time that he heard such a lifeless tone of voice. Yuuga turned his head to him, and he saw an expression that is greatly suppressed outwardly, but is about to erupt.

He was unable to utter another word in his defense. All he could do was follow the loud steps of the agitated man in front of him.

It was the time where he realized that Yuuga is the kind of person whose temper will rise up more if someone did not equal to the silence he is bearing right now.

But even amidst that, he could imagine how enraged Yuuga is inside, and that his suppressed screams can split a mountain in half. He has however become extremely unpredictable, and Souhei would not want to know what would happen if he utter an unnecessary thing.

But in truth, it was the first time that Yuuga had felt so inflamed.

He has avoided major conflicts in his life even if he belongs to a family that is not very stable financially in his growing ages. He passed year by year with problems that are entirely solvable, and nothing has threatened the life he had with his family.

The most that he felt was his dejection. Learning that his closest friend was seeing him with affection shot his heart with pain. He felt that what he was writing was fake and insincere. It was indeed something that his mind only fabricated without knowing how important the feelings that he took for granted.

But he was still able to solve things in the end.

Now, it was not the case of solving it or not. It was something extremely serious that it may cost his or someone's life. Now that he understood and realized that even a small thing costed his responsibility, his regrets turned to anger. An emotion brought to its superlative—which he has not felt until now, and does not know how to regulate.

~ ~ ~

They had reached the nearest train station, which was the location sent to him. It was rush hour at this time of the day, and it is needless to say that there is a dense accumulation of people all around. He thought, the place at first glance can never be one where she would find Minase easily anywhere. Even if there is crowding of people, it was not difficult to get a look at other people's faces.

He never intended to just outright gaze upon every single person on their eyes, but he had a thought that someone might be watching them in the middle of the crowd. He then tightly grasped on his phone as he messaged the unknown number.

"Go to the bookstore a few blocks from the station. There is a shelf where your work is found, and one book is indented."

"Souhei."

"**W-What is it…?"

"**Where is the nearest bookstore here?"

Souhei pointed and guided him to the place. It was a rather large bookstore, but he did not waste a second and entered the store. Once again on his quick steps, he skimmed the contents of every shelf he would pass by.

The presence of his previous books did not miss his sight. With that, he immediately crouched and looked for a book that stood out among the volumes.

He then managed to pull out a volume that has a misprint where the covers are flipped out, where it the front cover is on the right side if cover side-up that was buried deep among the arrays of paperback. That is however how books in Japan are formatted as they are read on the opposite direction.

It was the 3rd volume of Flower of the Unknown, and a note was placed in between one of the rare page spreads of that work.

"This page…"

He looked at Souhei for a moment as he stood, but Yuuga hurriedly came out of the store without saying anything to him. He stopped in front of the entrance and took out the note from his shirt pocket which said:

"City center. Look for a green gacha machine between yellow ones. Your next hint will be there."

…

Something was wrong in all of this.

Yuuga took a rest inside the train cart that has regained its space with the absence of a crowd. He took a seat and stole glances at his companion whom he almost left behind.

He is already used to seeing a man with an uninterested look on his face whatever the time and situation, but it was not a look that he has ever seen from Souhei. He was truly showing a hint of disinterest to the circumstance.

It was only for a moment, but it was not a face that a person would make when they heard that someone has been abducted. Compared to Yuuga, not even a gesture of fidgeting or unstable breathing from anxiety has been observed from Souhei.

Call it unreasonable suspicion coming from an angered person whose logic is fading by the minute, but he nevertheless decided to roll the dice once they had come to their next stop.

…

"**Senpai! That's the place the note was saying!"

Only a few minutes did it take for Yuuga and Souhei to find the landmark the note said. It indeed fits the description. There are four gacha machines that are situated in one place, where a green one felt out of place against the yellow machines.

Yuuga was keeping an eye on the time ever since he received the second call, and around 40 minutes have passed since then. He prompted to walk towards the machines while his companion followed suit, but he found another place that would possibly support his gamble.

Even before closing another foot towards the machines, he took a turn away while slowly looking to the person behind him.

"**S-Senpai… this isn't the place written on the note, right…?"

"**I know. But it is too convenient that there is an alleyway very close to those machines, don't you think? Those must be diversions."

More fitting for a place that reeks out of suspicion—an empty dark alleyway that leads to another narrow passage in a turn.

"**Shouldn't we check the machines first…?"

"**I would just be wasting my time if I search every nook and cranny of that place…"

In a blink, Yuuga turned to Souhei and extended his arm so as to grab on the latter's collar.

"**Besides… I think I've solved this mystery.

**What are you planning, Souhei?!"

Again, it was a dark and empty alleyway, where Yuuga will have no hesitation to let out the roaring voice that wanted come out since the beginning.

"**Did you really think that I'm that stupid, Souhei…? I'm not so dense to pick up on little details along the way. Your suggestions… that certain page… your expressions…

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

**You don't understand, that's why… You don't know how much I am worried about Mina's life because you haven't even experienced the feeling of loving someone special to you… So you won't understand how much I hated that lukewarm look you've had all this time!!"

"**S-So-"

The little details. Even if it is a given, it was rather unnatural to immediately ask Yuuga if the caller knows of his identity, and that he almost accurately suggested on implications that happens to real world authors.

The certain page. Regardless of him being Minase's lover or not, he knows the woman very well that he won't be able to forget when she told him of her favorite page on his previous work, where the note was "coincidentally" placed. If anything, it was declared by Mina herself in one of their time in Isetsu.

And he also observed the expressions of Souhei along the way, in which he saw a prominence when turned away from the gacha machines. It was as clear as day that he saw an obvious look of disappointment from Souhei's face.

"**Now you're making a guilty expression. Does that mean I'm right…? Now why don't you open that mouth of yours since this is your time to speak up…? Are you really not going to say anything?!"

Saionji Souhei has not anticipated that a person can be driven to this extent of anger that his whole body excessively shivered in fear. He has always seen Yuuga with a calm demeanor and a kind look that emits generosity, and that he never anticipated that things would fall out of their convention.

Now it feels as if he is in front of entirely another person.

"…

**A-At Orenji…"

With the force of Yuuga's hand, Souhei was tossed aside to the ground as he watched the former sprinting out of the alleyway to go to the restaurant that the latter mentioned.

He could not even move a muscle to stand up while the fear of the moments a few seconds prior is still fresh in his mind. He could only hide his face upon the realization of the mistake that would only get worse.

"**What have we done…"

…

She is there.

Minase is sitting on one of the restaurant's table as if nothing happened. Her face did not give off a hint of heavy emotions, and she was just acting normally.

Having seen him strongly opening the door, she waved at Yuuga with a placid smile.

The weight on Yuuga's shoulders was then swept away, as though it was not there to begin with. He immediately came running to the table and tightly embraced the confused girl.

"E-E-Ehhh?! Yuu?! What's going on?! Why are you breathing so hard…?"

"You're safe… thankfully…"

"Did something happen, Yuu…?"

"I should be the one asking you that…! Did something happen to you, Mina?! Are you hurt anywhere?!"

"What do you mean…? You told me to go home and come here… right?"

"What? W-Where did that come from…?"

"H-Huh…? Souhei told me you texted him that you have something to do at school and your phone battery is almost dead. I came home and then he called saying that I should come here because you said so."

"Aaaahhhh, I don't know anymore…" his head unintentionally bashed on the table.

"Why do you look so tired anyway…"

Then the door of the restaurant opened once again where Teo, Souhei, and another person, or another famous author in the name of Takuma Kinshi entered with glum faces. They tried to approach Yuuga but was stopped by his words.

"**If you are going to explain yourselves, I don't want to hear that right now. Please… just leave us alone… I don't want to see any of you, at least only right now…"

With their failed attempt of apology, they sorrowfully left the premises.

"W-W-Wh-What was that about, Yuu…?! Isn't that Takuma Kinshi just now?! What's going on… why did you suddenly kick them out?!"

"Hahh…

**Hello, Kamiya-san…? Please don't be surprised if I suddenly grab your husband's collar later when we get home… No, I at least have all the right to do that because of what they did… Thank you very much."

"Seriously… something bad happened, right…?"

"I think I've lost my trust with them…

It took years off of my life when a number called me that you were kidnapped…"

"W…What…?!"

"But then I took a hint on Souhei's actions and found out that he was part of this…

I'm just so glad that you're safe, Mina…"

"But why did you put a reservation today?"

"What do you mean reservation?

…! Aaaggghhh… those people…"

"**Oh, Amagami-sensei…! It's nice to see you again," the owner greeted upon seeing him and walked to their table. "**Thank you for availing our offer and paying in advance. With that, you can order as much as you want for the day."

"**Ahh, yes… You're welcome…"

He was just as confused as Mina, but he listlessly opened the menu anyway and muttered.

"I can't bother to think anymore… I've never been this mad in my life… You heard what he said, Mina. Don't hesitate to order… I'm feeling really hungry myself…"

"…"

On the time and place where Minase is the only one that understands Yuuga the best, she decided to stay silent for the time being, as she thought that it was currently the wisest thing to do. Perhaps she cannot easily comprehend what he has gone through for the past hour, but she knows that it was quiet and peace that will be able to make Yuuga think and contemplate. And by then, an answer will surface.

However wise it is to stay silent, it was not necessarily a bad thing in this circumstance to speak.

"Hey, Yuu?"

"What is it…?"

"Can we make this a date?"

And finally, she had seen a new expression on Yuuga's almost eternally forlorn visage. His face briskly changed to one that showed a pinch of surprise. In that event, she saw a scintilla of an arch from Yuuga's lips as he silently took a breath of relief.

"Please… Please consider this as one…"

It is not everyday that Minase sees the person across her enjoying the food in front of him. She has always seen him savor the food for being able to share them on the same table with each other without a single day missed. For her, it was refreshing to see a person like him who has presented acceptable manners on the table to outright wolf down the fare presented in front of them.

"One way to a man's heart is through his stomach…"

~ ~ ~

An early dinner and a movie later, now comes the time for Yuuga to face the conflict once more. They have dropped off from the station and is now on the way home, walking with a heavy heart.

"Umm… Yuu… It's unusual for you to hold my hand."

"…

Did you seriously believe that my anxiety was just swept away so easily after having my fill? At this point… even I don't know if I would call that house a safe place."

Minase may have asked just now in an embarrassed tone, but it was her that tightened her hold to the trembling hand of Yuuga.

"No, you're a kind person, Yuu."

They had not stopped on their steps, but Minase felt on that silence that Yuuga had something he wants to say.

"Yuu?"

"…

I know that I don't really say my feelings a lot, but I just want reassure you that I truly love you, Mina."

"Ah-aaahhh…"

A curveball. She was not expecting those words at all, not even in the slightest. And so in her usual penchant, her cheeks crimsoned under the artificial lights amid the young night.

However, Yuuga continued.

"Even if what happened today made me bear some kind of hate towards Souhei and his father… I have to admit that there is something that I realized that I am lacking.

We may have been in this relationship for almost a year, but I realized that I have never really acted my part. I lack the strength of the man and don’t have the ability to even protect you. I may have the bone to abandon my work for the sake of your safety… but I hate myself for only being able to do that…"

"No… that in itself is already amazing. But are you really sure with that…?"

"Of course I am. It is not worth much of a sacrifice as long as you're safe. Really, to be honest, I even sometimes regret that so much of my time got spent on writing when I should have done something better. Now that I've understood my feelings, it hurts a little more that I took for granted your concern towards my wellness. For that, I'm thankful."

She was graciously listening to the pacified voice with a smile, but then, an idea that she had done one-sidedly once resurfaced on her mind…

"Then… will you accept my challenge, Yuu?"

…In which, Yuuga immediately caught on.

"What is it this time…"

"I know you're sad that you realized your shortcomings, but I am looking towards the opportunity that came from that. If you now know of those weaknesses, then isn't this the greatest time to work… and prove that you can do them?"

"So this is your challenge…

I will accept… but I will also promise that to you. I will do my best to become a person you can rely on. You got that?"

"Mhm. I will look forward to that."

…

Hate or forgive.

If Minase had not said the encouragement that he is a kind person, he would have chosen the former while his anger has not truly faded away. But it was an easy decision to choose the second in the end.

"We are home" was not absent to his greetings. They entered the house just like normal, and immediately saw the three people that he ignored earlier sitting on the living room along with Saonji Kamiya whose eyebrows are on a clear frown. Immediately after seeing the presence of the two, the three stood up all at the same time with the same expressions as earlier.

Yuuga then dropped his bag and blazer to the floor and hurriedly walked to do what she asked Kamiya on the call. With an astonishing grip that he himself did not know about, he once again forced his throat with an almost deafening roar.

"**If that happened to your wife… did you seriously think that you won't act like how I am right now?!?!"

He released his grip on the collar of Teo, and took what he dropped once more. Before beginning on his tracks, he spoke on a low voice.

"**Don't take this the wrong way.

**And we wouldn't need dinner for tonight, Kamiya-san."

And thus, the day has finally ended.

▪ ▪ ▪

‹Yuuga›

I can't even come to terms with how flustered I was before I even get to sleep.

I didn't even know that I have such a side that is still a child. Having so many dreams… or nightmares in one night was actually entirely possible. Just when I thought I had fallen asleep, another nightmare came to enhance my negativity. I was vigorously shivering for hours that I can't begin to count, only for it to stop after knowing that I was not the only one feeling like that.

Suddenly I heard the divider unfolding. I turned my head and saw Mina pulling her futon close to mine. I did not let out a single word once she had settled, but for some reason, I felt very eased and was able to sleep the remaining hours.

…

"**For the latest news: The country has announced its second case of the terminal illness codenamed 'BEF-1'. The mentioned illness as described is a powerful bacterium that invades the body and slowly eats away and actively 'decomposes' the muscles until it has consumed the host.

**Currently it is categorized as non-contagious or not transmitted by any means. The chances of getting it is however extremely low, but the illness contracts regardless of the wellness of a person."

Even if I have forgiven them for all of that, it was still very hard in my heart to act just like normal. I wasn't able to join them for meals, even if I took two days of absence and only stayed at home listening to a grim news.

Afterwards, Mina and I came to Isetsu and announced that we would be cutting short our stay in that school.

But just when we were about to leave, Yabe Taishi, a classmate, came running towards us.

"Yuuga-senpai…! Minase-senpai…!"

"Yabe-kun?"

He was running with already shortened breaths, and his right hand was occupied with a pile of papers.

"**I-I… I think that this would be the last time we would meet again so… so…

**I would at least want to give you my suggestions even if it wouldn't help…!"

I took the bundle from his hand and found that his handwriting was actually very easy to read. It contained detailed suggestions on what he daydreamed that can be applied to my story.

"**Can I get your contact, Yabe-kun? Do you use LAIN or any SNS?"

"**W-W… For what reason… senpai?"

"**I'd want to discuss your suggestions further even after I'm back in Orio."

"…!

**Y-Yes, I would be glad to…!"

▪ ▪ ▪

At least, I was able to clear things up with the men of Saonji before our flight. It was evident enough that they took a lot of scolding from the mother of the house as of course we were living under the same roof.

I never asked them for details or any kind of explanation as I know to myself that it would just make my blood boil if I continue to hear a thing about it.

But amidst that, I never missed a thing to tell Mina's parents via a call. As for what the two of us discussed, I left it to be said to her parents once we are now face-to-face. It is very rude to just promise in front of a camera.

Then the day of our departure came, where I was able to finally express my gratitude to the publishing company when we still had time, even if it was early in the morning. And on our last day in Japan, it was Kuni-san that we saw last in this land.

~ ~ ~

Thus, we are home.

I landed immediately on the floor of my apartment as I verbally expressed my longing on the usual scent of my room. While it is a weekend, I still spared the rest for another time and stood up and think about what we should be buying for food.

"Hello, Assistant Gin. Are you free today?"

"Woah. You're back now, huh? I'm free, I'm free."

"That's good. Can you tell the other two assistants to come to have lunch with us if they are also free? I have a lot of stories for you all, and I also need to hear some advice."

"Okay I won't dwell on that, but will we be working?"

"Yeah. I'll rest later."

"Alright, then~ We'll be there in a jiffy."

"Wh-Wait! I said lunch! Lunch…!

…

Hahh… That guy doesn't change…"

And Aka-san… How dare you get a one-up on me for reaching 100 chapters…