"What happened to your wig?"

"Kawahara stole it."

"Yeah, I know that, but since you are now afflicted with him, shouldn't he have returned it by now?"

Unless Kuzan just likes to be bald in the first place. Maybe that's the case.

"It's fine. I plan on buying a new wig at the end of this month, either way."

"Just a wig? Don't you have higher priorities...?"

I shouldn't have to remind him what we are hoping to achieve at the end of this month...

Yet as I glance upon this oddball which goes by the name of Kuzan, mindlessly staring into the numerous gray clouds in the sky, I can't help but doubt myself.

"I know, Aniki. I really do! The lunch deal, right?!"

"Yeah! Fuck, we haven't eaten a single lunch in a very long time!"

Usually, Yulia would pay me but today was a bit different.

The fact that I am here in our dorm's rooftop and not with Yulia should tell us this much.

There's also the fact that I don't care enough to insist on Yulia anymore.

Her purpose has been fulfilled.

"Remind me again... What was the deal...?"

"You goofball. You need to convince King George. If you tell him that you are willing to create lunches for everyone with food from the kitchen then you should be able to do it."

"Will that really work? I mean, he's been gone forever. What if he never returns?!"

"That's impossible. He's our supervisor. I'm sure he must have a strong reason to be absent."

The unknown consequence has been giving me anxiety as of late, to be honest.

It will happen, I just don't know when which is freaking me out.

"Mhm... Even so, what if he rejects my idea?! Furthermore, we need money! Money! Otherwise, we can't buy anything!"

Actually, it's you who needs the money, not me. Though, it would be nice if we got some.

...Man, this breeze feels nice though. I feel like I could sleep in here. With my back against the entrance shell, as I get beamed by the enormous sunlight that's erupting from the clouds above, my entire body collected a comfortable feeling of heat.

Feels good...

"Kuzan, we just have to ask your parents right? Kawahara can't come, you know? He's suspended."

"I know that. But will it really work? My parents hate me. Ever since I was little I've stolen things from them. I'm a compulsive thief, I can't help myself."

Frankly speaking, I would generally not bother with Kuzan but I have a few reasons to do so.

Kawahara's absence means that he will not be able to attend Kuzan's parents.

I've still got to see how it all works out. Can we truly just leave school like that? I feel like there will be a catch.

"Is your crime related to thievery? I really doubt it's not."

"As expected of Aniki. But, it's a little bit more complicated."

"How so?"

"That's... a secret."

"But why is it a secret? Do you dislike what you did? Do you feel shame?"

I don't understand it otherwise. Either you feel extreme guilt for what you've done and thus you refuse to tell anyone about it or there is another partial reason.

"It's confidential, Aniki. If I tell anyone, then it will mean that you will have to die too."

"Huh...?"

"Ahh, nothing, nothing. Don't mind me!"

What was that just now? I'll have to die too?

What was Kuzan on about?

"Well, whatever. Still, the fact remains. You do need money. Wouldn't it just be better if you had the money?"

"That's true. But, as you know, I have no way to obtain money except to get it by myself or by asking my parents. There's no point in stealing from anyone here. Plus, everyone's just so wary. Everyone's rooms are closed... Furthermore, the doorlock's model can only be brought down with severe physical strength. That or I can just decipher the model and construct keys that will allow me to enter the rooms..."

He's not even denying it. Kuzan's honesty is brutal to an incredible extent.

"Kuzan. You are just going to get hated if you keep on doing this shit over and over. Kawahara's protecting you but aren't you depending on him a bit too much?"

"Isn't that fine though? He's protecting me as long as I side with him. Mutual help, as he said."

"Weren't you the one who wanted to form bonds with everyone? What happened to that?"

Were his words back then superficial or do they still uphold any meaning whatsoever?

"I've been thinking, Aniki. Isn't it impossible?"

"What is?"

"To 'form' bonds. We all want something from one another. It's impossible to form a genuine bond then. Hey, Aniki. You want something from me, don't you? See, this is what I mean. It will never feel 'genuine'."

This scenery feels so harmonizing but at the same time, there is this sensation of truth swimming around us.

As we both look towards the sun while sitting on the cold hard floor, we traded those words of interest.

"Sorry."

"Nah, it's fine. But... There won't ever be anything of that sort here. Every person in our class pretends to be something that they aren't. But, I will not. I'm a thief, so I will continue to do what I feel like doing, even if everyone views me with spite and hatred in the process."

Kuzan's ideology changed, apparently. No... Was his ideology ever formed before? It's only starting to take shape now.

According to him, he refuses to be like everyone else in our class. Fake people that have a front for unknown motives. He can't agree with this view.

"Why do you steal though?"

"Why...? I'm possessive. Is it that bad of a trait to have?"

"So you steal because you are possessive? Is that it? That shouldn't be enough to go this far."

There's no way that's it. How can you be so addicted just for the sake of being possessive?

That's not how it works. There must a reason behind it.

"Man, why all the sudden questions, Aniki? Not fair! I didn't ask anything regarding your wrongdoings, did I?"

"That's because you didn't ask."

"Then, if I ask, will you answer?"

"I can't, I don't even know why I'm here."

I do know that I got into some pretty intense shit and was driven here by that boomer back then.

Wonder how he's doing? Did he jump off a cliff and end his meaningless life? Or maybe he shot himself in the face in front of his kids?

"That's weird. Are you sure you're not here by mistake? No, wait. Your evil nature is undeniable, you must be here for a reason."

"I am not evil..."

"You totally are, Aniki! You crushed my balls so hard I blacked out!"

"That was for the greater good. Would someone evil do something for the greater good? No way in hell, Kuzan!"

"How is crushing my balls greater good?! I'm spermless now!"

Why are you worried about not being able to hand out your sperm? Actually, you're exaggerating, Kuzan.

You just won't be able to get a girl pregnant. That doesn't mean you won't be able to skyrocket while in water.

"You'll understand my actions one day. More importantly, I've got something I want to talk to you. Something that will most likely revolutionize our lives while here."

Kuzan, who was drinking his caned pear juice midst our conversation, stopped sucking the straw and turned his eyes onto me at once.

"Revolutionize? What can that possibly be? We are stuck here without a way out, unless we pass the special exams. What are you thinking?"

Just like me, Kuzan happens to be desperate for money. Thus far, I've been connecting our necessities to achieve money and how nice it would be for us to have some pocket money.

Though, I didn't exactly convince Kuzan into changing his ways...

"Are you a gambler?"

"No. Thieves don't need to gamble. Why gamble, when you can steal?"

That's actually reasonable.

However.

"Thieves get into trouble a lot though."

"I don't need to worry about that. Kawahara will have my back."

"So you're a pussy then."

"What....?"

Why is he questioning me? Do I have to explain why Kuzan's a pussy? I thought it was obvious, even to him.

"Kawahara this, Kawahara that. You can do your own stuff, but you are fucked the majority of the time. And now you think it's okay for you to be this irresponsible just because someone has your back? Kawahara said you weren't his lapdog, but is that really true?"

I've noticed how childish Kuzan has been acting lately, but to think he hasn't realized the flaw in his behavior.

Is he a child?

"I am not his lapdog. It's mutual help!"

"Mutual help, my ass. You just want an excuse to act irresponsibly again. Why not do something that involves responsibility for once?"

"Why should I? It's a pile of work. If Kawahara can take care of it, then that's all I need."

"Don't you find it strange? Why Kawahara said that he would do so much for you just like that?"

"It's part of the deal..."

A deal you don't see the other side of.

"You fucking idiot. Why do you think I haven't accepted his deal? Are you this naive?"

"You didn't want to be his lapdog, I know but---"

"That's one reason, yes. But, there is a more important one. Kawahara is manipulating you and you don't see it, man. He's sugarcoating you with protection but sooner or later he'll make demands that you won't be able to achieve and you'll suffer in the process."

Although, I really couldn't care about this in general. Nor Kuzan's situation.

I'm just showing him that I do care, essentially.

"Don't I just have to achieve what he wants?"

"Are you stupid? Kawahara can make enemies with whoever he wants and everyone in their mother will go and slaughter you in the process if you do. Sana almost killed him yesterday..."

"She's not okay... She should just be put in an asylum..."

It's common sense not to actually attempt to kill someone while in class but Sana almost went and done it yesterday.

Yet, Kawahara probably would come out unscathed.

"Hey. Stop depending on him. Or just about anyone. Everything you own, doesn't belong to you, does it? Where did you get that pear juice anyways?"

"I stole it. Some students left their school packs on the back of a basketball field and I just stole it from one of the school bags. Do you want some? Preeetty good if you ask me!"

His pockets are full as well. I doubt that was the only thing he stole.

He needs to see beyond what he can see, first.

"No, I don't. It's not yours. Doesn't it bother you?"

"What? It's mine now. If we go by your logic, then your logic defeats the whole purpose of starting selling products. Nothing is originally from anyone since everything is either natural or artificial. Though, if it is artificial, then I guess the one who came up with it and created it, is to be called the 'original owner'."

"You didn't understand my logic in the first place. To acquire something, you have to pay the price for something. Isn't that a fair way of doing things?"

But it's really stupid. If you can steal something then you shouldn't waste your money....

Yet, I can't just say that. I would be agreeing with Kuzan's logic, then.

"Fair? C'mon. We're beyond that, Aniki. You never bothered with that concept. Why are you bringing that up?"

"I'm not spewing about the conception because I support the moral aspect of it. However, doesn't it feel great to acquire something with your power alone?"

"How isn't stealing acquiring? I am doing it with my power."

"That's not the correct way to acquire something..."

"I don't understand. Why should I have to care if it's correct or not?"

Ahhh... This is... troublesome.

Truth to be told, I do agree with him on a lot of points and that's why this is getting hard. I'm going to have to twist the truth a little bit, it seems.

"You have to care. What you obtain, marks an achievement in your life, no matter how small. Think of it this way. As you acquire things in life, you should view those achievements as trophies. How you obtain and achieve, will tell you how the value of your actions."

"Trophies...?"

He seems puzzled from the look on his face. His twisted eyebrows are rising up slowly.

"Visualize the following: An action you do, your methods to achieve it, will have a value regarding the trophy. Let's say that you do an action that took everything you had and was incredibly hard to achieve in the process! That's a gold trophy. Yet, let's say that you did not put everything you had, your methods were average, nonetheless, you still did it. You get a silver trophy. Ultimately, if your methods were lackluster and despicable, then you get a bronze trophy. The worst one of all."

"Ohhh, I see. Then, I must have a ton of gold trophies!"

"Do you though? Remember, to achieve a gold trophy you have to struggle a lot to achieve that which you desire. What you did a while ago, the action of stealing that pear juice can do you think that's worthy of a gold trophy?"

After receiving my question, Kuzan paused his finger on his chin and thought for a while.

"...It wasn't much of an effort. I was just thirsty. It also wasn't anything that amazing. I was just bored. Well, it can't be a gold trophy, I guess. Nor a silver one... That leaves... A bronze trophy."

"Lame, right? Your actions have lost value. But you know what's worse than doing low-value actions? Doing irresponsible actions while relying on others to have your back while your actions weren't even that high-value in the first place. I can't imagine what it's like to be in that situation, but you sure do. After all, it's what's happening to you right now. Kawahara will clean up your shit every time and you are fine with that."

Kuzan started to cast a glance upon the gray concrete that he was seating on with negative eyes.

Furthermore, he squashed a bit of his pear juiced can suddenly.

"I get it... You don't have to tell me. I'm not dumb."

"My whole point wasn't to hurt your feelings, Kuzan. It was just to make you realize that your actions do have a meaning."

"I also get what you are trying to say. Basically, my actions' value will either increase or decrease based on how I perform, right?"

"Yes. But there's more to it. Depending on how you generally perform, you'll have to bear the consequences or the benefits of your actions. You are not allowing yourself to be in that position. Right now, who will bear the consequences of your actions?"

I didn't need to say who it was since it was crystal clear to both of us.

Kuzan even got too ashamed to say his name out loud, thus I continued.

"Don't let him control you. Who do you belong to?"

"Myself."

"That's right. You have supreme control over yourself but you are allowing this manipulator to take control of you. Don't you feel weak right now?"

"Aniki... I'm not really in a position where I can just defy him. I've signed the contract."

"That's completely different though. I'm not talking about the fact that you are afflicted with Kawahara. I'm talking about your own actions. Don't let him take responsibility for your actions. If you allow your actions' consequences to fall under someone else's responsibility and not yours, then you are a coward."

It's the truth. He is a coward. A big one at it.

I would argue that someone like Hyunda is a coward too, but his unknown power makes me question that.

"A coward is someone whose actions' consequences never fall onto the individual but onto someone else? Essentially, someone who doesn't have the guts to face the consequences from the imperfection that was created?"

That's one way to put it.

"Basically."

"Then, that makes me a really big coward... I guess...huh..."

He's starting to sulk. That's not great. He'll succumb to depression if I don't explain what the whole point of this is.

"You don't have to be a coward though."

"Is that really possible? Isn't the destiny of a thief to always steal, run and never turn back? If I can't turn back, then I can't face the consequences..."

Changing his ways is far too hard to do. However, there is something that I can alter. It's not a necessary change, but an addition to his arsenal.

"Once you steal, you are subjected to that railway of methods and the plethora of consequences that are to follow. Though, isn't that only if you steal?"

"Aniki, I can't stop. I won't stop. I will not change. This is who I am. I am not doing what I'm doing just because I'm in denial about something; I'm in approval and I believe that as long as stealing is an option that I should not have to obey rules of society."

You misunderstood something, Kuzan. Deeply.

"Who said anything about changing?"

"Huh?"

"If you want to keep on stealing, then keep on stealing. It's your choice. But, don't you think that you should only steal when you truly need it? What sense does it make to live the life of an outlaw when you have the capacity to have what you want without stealing?"

Stealing implies that the individual has the necessity to steal. The majority of the cases are either starvation or financial crisis. It's fairly understandable why you'd want to steal.

You need to steal. Yet, that's it. You have a need to steal.

"But I don't have the capacity. If I had the money to buy stuff, I would do so, but that's totally not possible, as you can see. I have to endure rounds of hatred from all of the people I steal from. Why are you saying stuff like capacity when I have none?"

"Oh, right. You are poor. Just like me. We both need money. What a shame though. There isn't anything we can do about that. We have to ask your parents to give us money... or... do we?"

"What?"

If you have any minimal financial capacity, then what sense does it make for you to steal something small? None.

By that logic, your vice should be controlled once you have some sort of financial capacity.

"I've found a way to potentially solve our financial crises. However, what I am about to tell you, you can't tell anyone. Not even Kawahara."

Especially Kawahara.

"Are you serious? You're not just joking, are you?!"

"I'm not. Hear me out. Remember what I told you about gambling?"

"Yeah?"

"What if I told you we could make money out of it?"

"Okay, but how? And where do we gamble exactly?"

"How? You should talk to Hyunda about this. Where? We can bet anywhere. Right now, I'm looking for members to join our system. Thus far, we only have Hyunda, the creator himself and me. I figured, since you were pretty desperate for money, just like I am, you'd be interested in it."

"Hyunda...? Hyunda planned this? That's odd. I didn't take him to be the type of person who'd take action."

"Well..."

You're not exactly wrong, Kuzan.

"All you need to know is that you need to seek him. He'll explain to you everything since he is deciding on the rules. I'm just a member recruiter."

"Wait, why don't we invite more people though?!"

"Stupid! We can't just let random people in. This is supposed to be serious..."

Though, with time, it will have to increase.

"Oh... I see. But what will we be betting about? Does Hyunda even have the funds for it?! Gambling takes a lot of money!"

"He said he was going to gather budget at the end of this month, so unless he lied about that, the system should come to life at the start of the month."

"Yeah, but what will we be betting about?"

I told Kuzan the gambling criteria with quick haste immediately.

"Ohhh! That's really simple, actually. How come I didn't think about it?"

"Because the idea is nice but unrealistic. The idea needs financial support and without it, it's a pipe dream. Nevertheless, for someone like Hyunda, a guy that takes no responsibility at all, to say such words, I doubt that he's just lying."

"But you're still coming with me, right?"

"Where?"

"To visit my parents! We need to get the deal done!"

"First off, we need King George to show up. Otherwise, a deal won't ever come to life. It would be great if he showed up, but I digress. Secondly, if he shows up, we should worry about worse things."

"Worse things? Such as?"

Did he forget?

"We still have to be punished for our invasion... And Kuzan... Let me tell you something... I don't think people are going to be happy about it..."

"Yikes! Kan's gonna kill me! He's been eyeing me in class a lot!"

I'm pretty sure it's not just Kan... Sagasuga did warn him and I don't think he gives a single fuck about Kawahara's protection.

"Hey, Kuzan...?"

"Yeah?"

"What kind of punishment will we receive...?"

"Hopefully not another round of the underground... Though, I've got no clue. Shouldn't our punishment be related to the girls in some way, or am I just being optimistic here?"

How is that optimistic?

Imagine being leashed by the girls, Kuzan. On second thought, I don't even wanna imagine it.

"I hope that's not the case... But you are making me think that it will be..."

"You don't have to worry. I bet it's nothing!"

"Oi, Kuzan. Our punishments haven't been soft thus far. What if we had lost this exam? Wouldn't we be on three supply exams?!"

"You're right! And after that, we would be..."

A quick silence was formed because we both had the words on our tongues but just didn't want to say it in a direct manner.

"...Aniki, do you think it's true...?"

"I don't know... I can't tell if Basara-sensei was just joking about it or if it's really true."

"It has to be a joke. It's pure-nonsense to consider execution at this day of age."

That... I'm not so sure. Kuzan's being way too optimistic. Electric chair and asphyxia are valid execution methods still in this day of age.

Nonetheless, I doubt that executions are performed publicly.

"We should be in jail, you know? Sometimes... although I don't like it here... I can't help to feel a bit blissed. What if we were in jail right now?"

"Ehh, we can't go to jail. We are only 15!"

"I'm actually 16 now."

"...Happy late birthday."

Is he feeling guilty about it?

"Dude, don't sulk like that. I don't celebrate birthdays. It's just another day."

"Mhmmm, that's true. I haven't seen the point on celebrating mine either."

Plus, it's not as if I tell anyone about my birthday. I'm not seeking attention.

"If we fail, we die. You don't really believe that... do you, Aniki?"

It's straight-up unbelievable to believe that we will be subjected to death sentences, but the fact that I can't deny the possibility is terrifying the living shit out of me.

I know that it's unrealistic, but if there is nothing to deny it, then for what reason should I remain optimistic about it?!

"Kuzan...!"

"Y-Yeah?!"

"If... for some reason... that's true... then... we can't afford to fail! You have Kawahara by your side. I've already told you how I felt about that. However, if it's for the sake of your survival here, then do what you must. I will not criticize your choice if it's for this reason alone."

"But... You're going to fight this alone? What if the exams get harder?! Wouldn't you just be subjected to the consequences?! It doesn't have to be this way. Kawahara's right!"

"Get off my case, Kuzan. I got this. This pathetic dependence made me look feeble, but if it's an individual exam, then I will excel. I've simply not had the chance to demonstrate it."

There's also the fact that we lost the first exam thanks to you, Kuzan. But that's a whole different story.

"Consider it, at least. It's for your own sake--"

"Kuzan, by depending on someone, you are acknowledging your inner weakness. I am not weak. Because, strong people have themselves to rely on, not others."

"Um, Aniki?"

"What?"

Kuzan's eyes lit up a small crimson flare deep down as he looked at me with rage.

"I am not weak!!"

"Oh yeah? But without Kawahara, you wouldn't have passed the last exam, wouldn't you?!"

"T-That's completely irrelevant! Wait, you are in the same position as well!"

"Shut up, Kuzan! That doesn't make you less weak!"

"And how does that make you stronger than me?!"

"At least I haven't signed a damn contract out of despair!"

"It was not out of despair!"

"It was!"

"Was not!!"

"No, it really was!"

"I keep telling you it's not ---- Woooaaaahhh!"

"W-What the hell?!"

While we were arguing, a sudden disturbance in the force took place.

Right now, we are on the rooftop of our dorm, yet the ground began to shake violently which made both of us fall on the floor in response.

"A-Aniki! What was that?!"

"I've got no clue... An earthquake?"

It was an earthquake, but just what the...

Was it a natural earthquake or...?

No, what am I thinking?! Of course it was a normal earthquake.

However, as soon as I gained those optimistic thoughts, the ground shook, once again, tremendously.

"Waaaaah!!!!"

"Kuzan, hold on to my hand!"

Kuzan, in response to the second round of the earthquake, tumbled down and down while I grabbed the rooftop's door hold to secure myself.

Nevertheless, by taking ahold of my hand, Kuzan managed to hold on.

"Aniki!!! What is going on?!"

"I've got no fucking clue... Just what the--"

Then, against all odds, an unspoken loud roar was heard throughout the whole dorm, even though it came from downstairs.

A roar so loud that it almost made me deaf.

"WHO THE FUCK CAME INTO MY ROOM WHILE I WAS GONE?!?!?"

That was when, Kuzan and I, after looking at each other with terrified glances that expressed worry and anxiety, knew.

The King had returned.