Akira looked at him both, surprised and amused by his question. "Pfft, Shinigami? Those two grumps? Definitely not."

"And why did Beyza know so much about it then?" Linus asked, eagerly.

"I'm not sure, but I don't think she's our enemy... Maya, on the other hand..."

A shiver ran down Linus's spine—Akira shuddered too, at the chilling memory of that... monster.

Linus nodded. "I agree, but why the hell did Beyza have a gun?!"

"Two."

"Huh?"

"She had two guns."

"Oh—Well, that doesn't make it any better!"

"I'll ask her when she's back," Akira said, looking at him inquisitively.

"Where is she then?" Linus asked, looking around. But it was just the two of them.

"She went outside with Maya, as you were freaking out." A slight smirk came over Akira's face.

Linus seemed somewhat ashsmed about his behavior now. "Oh…"

Suddenly Akira stood up and looked at him thoughtfully. "You'll be okay, right? I'll be right back."

A strange feeling overcame Linus as Akira turned away from him. He didn't want him to leave—even if it was only for a short moment. He felt like a child desperately clinging to his mother—though he hadn't actually clung to him yet. But the desire was there.

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"Nonsense!" he muttered, shaking his head.

Akira looked even more concerned now. "You... you won't be okay on your own…?" he asked uncertainly.

"Uh, no—no! Go ahead to Beyza, I want answers too, after all." It took him a tremendous effort to get those words out. He didn't want to be alone right now—he wanted to be with... Akira.

"Are you sure? You seem so worked up again... You can come with me, but I'd rather keep you out of it... Believe me, it's better for you."

Right… he could just go with him… why didn't he think of that? Yet, he said, "Yeah, it's fine. Really." No, it definitely wasn't fine. What if Beyza was colluding with Maya, they had known each other for a long time after all... What if they ganged up on Akira together?!

Then Linus startled as a doubt crossed his mind.

Why is he suddenly so important to me? And besides that, didn't he try to kill me?!

Linus shook his head again.

No, that was only because he had no choice! Yes, I'm still alive!

The thoughts tore him apart, almost physically.

"Okay, if you say so... if anything happens, just call for me. I'll be right back." Without turning back again, Akira left the room, closing the door with a dull thud. The sound echoed deep into the depths of Linus' heart.

He suddenly felt incredibly lonely—more so than he ever had before. Was this the fear of losing something important to him? It was a new feeling for Linus. When there's nothing you care about, you can't lose it, at least. But now, he felt different. And he didn't know if he liked it yet, especially because he couldn't tell where it was suddenly coming from...

Outside the door, Beyza was already waiting for Akira, arms crossed. "'We can't have secrets from each other anymore'...?" she mimicked his earlier statement, as if it were an accusation.

Akira looked at her with grim eyes. "It's better for him this way."

"As you wish, but if he finds out the truth, it could break his heart. Especially if you keep going on like you have been," Beyza remarked.

Akira could feel her contempt under his skin. Or was it perhaps genuine concern? He didn't know her well, but this felt quite out of place for his favorite gothic girl.

"Let me handle that... Right now, I'd like some answers." Akira looked down the hallway, inspecting it. Maya was nowhere to be seen—no one else around.

Then, with a subdued and serious voice, he asked, "Who or what are you two?!"