After the events that took place on February 26th, roughly three days passed, marking the beginning of March.

Unremarkable or simply unworthy of mentioning events took place, which made the connection to this day way more relevant than the previous ones.

At last, the long-awaited day of freedom had come.

"Put these bracelets on your ankles. They will serve the purpose of tracking your location throughout the entirety of today."

Just outside of the school perimeter, two mid-aged black-suited guards awaited us. Ultimately, after walking outside, Kuzan and I were forced to insert ankle bracelets on our ankles in order for us to be tracked down.

"Eeeeh, this is not comfortable at all!"

Picky as always, Kuzan let out a fast complaint. However, the other guard replied.

"Any funny ideas will immediately expel you from the program. Don't even think about removing it. Or crushing the inner chip. Your movements will be tracked down."

Truth to be told, this ankle bracelet is really not comfortable, at all.

Kuzan told me yesterday that we should leave early and the school is technically open at 8 am, thus we are here earlier than the majority. This is essentially a day-off. Classes will resume themselves tomorrow.

"You have until six o'clock to return. Any later than that and you two will be subjected to the consequences."

"Aye, sir!"

I wasn't speaking at all since I was wary of the guards themselves. Kuzan was delivering all the answers while talking to them at the same time.

Their semi-bulky appearances alerted me fairly.

Plus, their pistols on their wrist-belts were dangerous and could imply being lethal in case we did something absurd.

All in all, if Kuzan is up to something stupid, then I should stop him.

Nevertheless, after putting the ankle bracelets, we made our way to the respective location.

"Wait... Where is this exactly?!"

"Tokyo. We just need to travel to Saitama, remember?"

Tokyo is overall gigantic and massive, but this private school stayed behind a mountain which made its location secretive, certainly.

Who came up with the idea of building a school in such a hideous location?

"But isn't that long as hell?! We've got no money! We'll have to walk! Waaaalkkk!! WALK!"

Why is Kuzan freaking out?

Also, I never noticed how there is a long stairway all the way to the rural city when you leave school.

Essentially, right after you leave the abysmal entrance gate, as you descend down the usual staircase, if you keep on going forward, you will either find a forest or a stairway that will go down.

Our starting point would be this massive stairway, but...

"What the hell... Does this even end?"

"Aniki, are you serious about walking to Saitama!? That's insane!"

"We've got no choice on this matter, Kuzan. No money, therefore, we have to use our legs. Or, are you afraid of a little adventure?"

"No way! You're on!"

"That's the spirit!"

3 hours later.

"Ahhh...! Ahhh....! Never... again.....! This was such a stupid idea! Why did I think that reaching Saitama on foot from all the way back to Tokyo was easy?! In my mind it was!"

"I told you it was insane to go on foot! Ahhh!!! I'm dead! I need to catch a breath! Oxygen! Air! Anything!!"

Almost on our knees, we both desperately inhaled as much oxygen as possible.

Apparently, we had arrived at the correct location.

Unbelievable. We lost three hours due to this stupid idea. Am I even going to make it in time for my other meeting?

"This is it, right?"

"Yeah... Yeah, same old house. Nothing has changed."

Below this grand cerulean sky, the chilly air made it easy for us to catch a breath quickly.

Furthermore, in front of us, as we stood in front of a small gate, there was a house. Quite average so to say.

A fully yellow house was being viewed by my own two eyes. Yet the most noticeable part was how the front door that was not so far from the small gate, was open, although barely.

From the small entrance that was visible, I could see the eyes of someone eavesdropping the current scenery.

"Kuzan... I think someone is there. Look..."

Kuzan, who was still catching his breaths, at last, looked at the entrance door and how there was someone literally eavesdropping.

Remarkably, the only thing I could tell is that we are being watched.

"Emi... I already told you it's bad manners to eavesdrop someone's conversation..."

Bam. The door quickly closed.

"That stupid idiot. She probably got scared."

"Kuzan, who was that just now? How can you tell who it was when that person didn't even show itself?"

I did hear the name 'Emi', which should mean that it's a female individual and considering that the door was slammed after Kuzan said those words, then the individual is most likely related to Kuzan.

His infamous sister, perhaps?

"Let's just come in..."

"Alright."

Though he said those words of affirmation, Kuzan is looking exasperated. He's even trembling while putting his house-key on the gate lock.

His eyelids are looking down too. This is stressing him, for some reason.

When Kuzan unlocked the door once again with his key, nobody was there to receive him. He lightly turned on the lights and spoke in a loud tone.

"I'm home! Anybody here!?"

Yet, no one spoke.

With a linear path ahead and a stairway to the right which would lead to the above rooms, after taking off our shoes, we walked forwardly.

Although... I can still sense that someone is watching us...

"Are your parents even at home?"

"Not my mother. But my step-father is, always..."

Once again, Kuzan exhibited a drained facial expression while speaking.

Also, step-father? I thought since he said 'his parents' that he was referring to his father and mother. I never heard of a step-father.

Nevertheless, before knocking onto a certain room that was in the middle of the hallway, Kuzan reluctantly held off his attempt while still attempting to knock the door.

.....

Something is wrong. He's stressed out, but this isn't your average dose of stress.

"Kuzan, what's the matter?"

"...Nothing... We... just have to get this done, right? After the talk, can we leave? I don't mind returning to school earlier..."

"What? You want to waste your precious day of freedom like this?"

How could he suggest something like returning to school earlier? Is he out of his mind?

This day is supposed to be enjoyable, not wasted.

"Ahh... It's just... Nevermind."

"Huh?"

He's not being very explicit. Nonetheless, he ended up knocking on the door.

...Except not.

A swift miniature figure came right at us with a wooden pole in order to strike us down. From the unknown darkness that lied in the shadows of the other rooms that were not illuminated, we were about to be ambushed.

"Thieeeveeeessss!!!!"

In a quick attempt to strike Kuzan down, who was about to knock, a cute, young and feminine voice was heard, as the wooden pole almost connected with Kuzan's head.

However, Kuzan seemed to be further ahead, as he intercepted the strike, by crossing his arms, thus forming the X block.

"W-What?! My legendary unseen mystic scattershot was stopped!? I demand to know who you are!"

What the hell. 'Legendary unseen mystic scattershot'? Who comes up with stuff like that?

"You damn idiot. Lower your voice..."

"T-That voice! It can't be..."

Finally erupting out of the darkness that could only emit long silhouettes of her figure, a young girl with red braids made her appearance, while being in her school uniform, from the looks of it.

"Yes... It's me, Emi."

"E-Eh..? No, impossible! You have my brother's voice, but you are not my brother! My brother would never abandon his hair! You are just a random bald thief who happens to have a similar voice, that's all!"

She looks to be around 12 years old, from her physical structure. I understand that girls in Japan are naturally quite small since that's how genetics here work, but her tiny size is adorable.

"I did not abandon my hair, you convoluted idiot! Also, would anyone else on this planet know how to block the LUMS with an X block?!"

Did Kuzan seriously just abbreviate her attack name?

"N-No way! It is... you! Waaah!!! Where have you been?!"

Wooooow. Must be nice man.

Being hugged extremely tightly by your sister who smells very good honestly.

I am not jealous whatsoever.

Kuzan's additionally patting her in the head.

Kuzan... You... How dare you. I thought of you as someone who lived in the normal boundaries of this world yet all this time, you...

"I've been busy..."

"Kuzan, please stop patting her. She has free will."

Yet, as soon as I've said those words that resembled a great deal of caring, Emi looked at me with lion eyes.

Woah, calm down.

I'm only trying to get Kuzan on the line. Good thing I crushed his balls. Now Kuzan can't follow the incest route.

"I thought you died from coronavirus, brother..."

"Don't kill me off like that, Emi..."

For all of you reading, I am sorry for breaking the 4th wall, but take care of yourselves, please. It's really dangerous.

"Anyways, who is this guy!?"

Repeatedly, after switching between being comfortable with Kuzan's nonstop head-pattings or glaring at me unfairly, Emi finally spoke out to me.

"I'm Daniel. One of Kuzan's friends."

Though, not really. More of an acquaintance. I don't have any friends in general.

I did attempt to extend my hand for a handshake, but she did not accept it.

"Brother, don't trust others so easily. You always get so..."

"He's trustworthy, don't worry."

"Brother..."

Oh please, stop this already.

I get it, Kuzan.

You love to see it.

"Emi, is he here...?"

"Yeah... But... don't go in there."

Any specific reason why Kuzan has just been so reluctant about barging into this room?

Does he seriously need a helping help to do something so simple?

I entirely comprehend that whatever lies beyond this door might be a sensitive topic for him, but what's the hold-up?

"Did he do something to you while I was gone...?"

"......"

Emi kept her silence this time while only hugging Kuzan's body tightly.

They both formed a transient silence that was quickly disrupted after Kuzan pulled Emi away from his body. Furthermore, he kneeled down in order to meet her height.

"Go to your room upstairs and don't come out of it."

"W-What are you going to do...?"

"Hehe. It's nothing special really. Same old talk. You know the drill. Be a good girl, Emi. For your brother's sake, please..."

Ultimately returning one last glance at me, Emi walked past me and climbed upstairs while looking severely depressed in the process of doing so.

It seems that whatever was beyond this door was a sensitive topic for both Kuzan and Emi.

However, it's been implied that the word 'him' might mean his stepfather. But, I'm certain now.

It has to be his step-father.

"Do you want me to knock the door instead of you?"

Since Kuzan was immensely struggling to do so, as soon as I saw how reluctant he was to knock on the door, I proposed that to him.

Initially, this was all for the sake of not surrendering to Kawahara's taunt back then, but to think it would come down to a serious and tense situation like this.

"Not to worry. I've done this countless times... I was just feeling an unusual feeling. I'm not sure how to describe it. Well......... here it goes..."

Finally, Kuzan knocked on the door strongly, instead of knocking it softly.

But no response came forward.

Regardless, Kuzan opened the door at long last.

Inside that room, I almost couldn't believe my own two eyes when I saw the scene that was reflected and claimed as 'reality'.

An obtuse fat man, amidst the endless pile of trash scattered around the room, which differs from junk food, plastic bottles, videogames to tissues and broken pieces of glass.

Yet, the most shocking part that I was not expecting was... the fat man was masturbating to porn while watching it from his computer screen from afar.

Furthermore, there were cumshots everywhere.

I felt like vomiting immediately, however, I decided to switch glances with Kuzan, who looked emotionless in response to this scenario.

"Shin."

Even after Kuzan spoke to him in a monochrome tone, this repulsive fat figure who wore full-framed black glasses hit the climax and ejaculated from the porn video that he was watching.

"Shin."

Despite barely having any clothes on, this ugly person, also known as Shin, who barely has hair, to begin with, kept on ignoring Kuzan.

Not wanting to get any closer, I simply stood by the front door as I watched the scene unfold.

"Shin..."

"What?"

At last, he replied to Kuzan, nevertheless, he just kept on browsing through the internet without looking to Kuzan.

Since he is on his chair, this fat and overly sized creature refused to look at someone else that was from behind.

"We need to talk. Can we talk, please?"

"Hm? Can't you see I'm busy? Another time, son."

"I am not your son......"

"What? Did you say something?"

"No... Nothing..."

Cowering his head back down, Kuzan denied his own words to Shin, who kept on masturbating in spite of Kuzan's presence.

But, aren't you his step-father?

Why are you ignoring Kuzan like this?

"Hey."

Although I spoke out loud to him, he didn't reply.

Kuzan looked in my direction with hopeless eyes. No flame. No spirit. Only despair.

"If you don't fucking face my direction in the next five seconds I'll shut your computer down you fucking fat piece of shit!"

In order to make my presence be noticed, I kicked the plastic bottles and the plethora of junk food packages that were scattered throughout this despicable room.

However, after three seconds passed, he faced by direction by twisting the direction of his chair.

Needless to say, his filthy parts were being shown, which meant that he had absolutely no consideration for whoever was present.

"Takeshi! How many times do I have to tell you not to bring strangers to the house!?"

"....."

Preferring to stay in silence, Kuzan did not reply.

Though, he's wrong if he thinks this is solely reliant on Kuzan.

"Aren't you his step-father? What are you doing? Can't you behave yourself?!"

His irrational behavior might've pissed me off slightly.

It's not normal for a step-father to ignore his son-in-law like this. Especially masturbating in front of him.

"Why should I? This is my house. I can do whatever I want. I can just call out the cops for property invasion."

Does this fucker think he's in a position where he can just throw ultimatums as he pleases?

"Did you even care for Kuzan while he was gone?"

"Takeshi? He was gone? When?"

Wait.

"You... didn't notice that Kuzan was.... gone... this whole month --- no, these past two months...?"

He's just joking, I'm sure.

No one can possibly be this insensitive about this.

"He was? Hey, Takeshi! Were you gone this whole time? For how long? Also, go buy me some cigarettes and more food while you are it!"

"Hey... I'm talking to you..."

"Take this pest along with you too, Takeshi! I can't stand his guts! Since you brought another impertinent retard to our house, it seems I'll have to educate you when you get back. You missed the belt, didn't you?"

Our location is being tracked down as we speak. No, it's already been tracked yet there is a vast number of consequences that will be applied onto us, in case we act out of the line.

But...

Why do you look so sad, Kuzan? Fight back. No one will for you.

Why are you not doing anything?

"Good grief, come here, son."

Why are you walking up to him? Kuzan, why are you...?

"That's for not taking out the trash!"

Hey...

"That's for not cleaning up the house!"

Why are you hitting Kuzan?

"That's for not telling that little bitch to not talk back to me! Stupid little runt. Do I have to teach her manners the good old way again? Lord, I thought we had something going on, but would you look at this! You still remain useless and wasteful! All this time, I couldn't remember that you were away because it didn't make a single difference!"

On and on, he kept on slapping Kuzan from left to right. Right to left, endlessly. Kuzan, motionless, simply accepted them as they came.

"Your mother left me! I was so sad that I thought of committing suicide! But you know what? She wasn't even that good. She had some nice tits and good pussy, but that was about it. Far from my ideal woman! However, she did a good thing! Her absence meant nothing! After all, she left her child! Ahh, what was her name again? Hey, help me out here, Takeshi! Respond!"

If I kill him here and now, then the plethora of consequences are to be followed.

However, I'm worried. I'm not in a mood where I can just care for such consequences anymore.

I hate when this happens. My hidden emotions of rage and fury overwhelm me.

Thus, with little to no wasted movements, I formed a forearm strike aimed at the bastard's head.

The end result would be his head sent flying across the room.

But...

"Kuzan... Move it. You don't have to bear this!"

"Takeeeeshiii, I asked you a question! Answer me! What's her name?!"

In an attempt to stop me from connecting the forearm strike onto his step-father, Kuzan stopped my possible onslaught by facing me directly.

The tears on his face made my sudden movement stop immediately.

"It's alright, Aniki. I figured this was going to happen! Oh well! We just gonna try next time, right?!"

No....

"Takeshi, don't make me fucking wait! Tell me already!"

"It's Emi. My sister's name is Emi."

Kuzan.... W-Why....

You don't deserve this!

"Kuzan! Let me do it! It doesn't have to be like this!!"

I might not know the whole situation or what exactly happened for this to come forth, but you are bearing so much on yourself...

People like him deserve to die. Kuzan, why can't you just...?

Damn it!

"Hahaha... How rare for you to care, Aniki. I'm touched. But this is my problem. Shin, take care. We are leaving now."

"Oh? Sure. But bring some food and cigarettes, for fuck's sake! That's the last time I'm telling you. Otherwise, your sister will get it. Well, she will either way!"

No, this can't be allowed to happen!

I will end this clown's life!

"You fucking bast---- Kuzan, don't stop me!"

"It's fine! I told you! It has to be this way! Because it's the only way!"

"No, it doesn't! For how long has this been going on for!? There are some things that aren't acceptable and you know this! What the fuck has he been doing to your sister, Kuzan!?"

Why is he stopping me?!

He can't possibly support his ways, can he!? Come on, Kuzan! Look at this guy!

He's not even caring for the situation at hand!

Furthermore, he probably doesn't even care about you and he's using your sister as his...

Fuck!

"It's alright.... It was my fault. This result was... already foreshadowed."

"You two are making too much noise. Scram already! Fuck off! And never come back! Also, Takeshi, tell that bitch to get here. It's time."

N-No way...

Kuzan, she's your sister, you can't possibly be thinking of allowing this...

".....Aniki, let's go."

"W-Wait, Kuzan....! You... You can't let this be!"

"Sorry, Aniki!"

No... Don't smile like that.... I can't possibly control myself after that...

"Remember, Aniki, we are being tracked down. We can't do anything."

"But you can't let him have his way!"

"Aniki.... Do you honestly.... Haha, let's just go. We have a full day ahead! Let's explore some areas! Adventure, wasn't that what you said?! Waaaah!! I can't wait to see what's ahead! Truth to be told, I never explored Saitama entirely! I could use a guide! Therefore, I'll be going on... ahead...!"

"Kuzan!"

Although I called out to his name, Kuzan sprinted on ahead at full speed and left the house with fast haste.

You....

I had no idea you were going through this much...

"Hey, pest! Don't make me repeat my words again! Scram!"

I can't do anything. I can't let my emotions overwhelm me. Emotions only blind. I know this. I know so damn well.

But!

It's painful, how scenarios like these are allowed. This anguish won't vanish and that's eating me.

However... it can't end like this.

"I'll scram. Alright. My bad for intruding."

"Good fucking riddance. Off you go---"

"Your days are numbered."

Closing the door with precision and force, I ran like hell to catch up to Kuzan's unknown location.

While on my way out, I saw Emi in the stairs eavesdropping my movements yet I had a higher priority, so to speak.

I can't believe this... I spoke such irresponsible words like those to Kuzan back then...

About how actions have values and whatnot, without actually understanding the depth of his own situation.

How immature of me to say those words without knowing what you were going through!

Across the streets, I ran through countless people and after about 5 minutes, I ended up crossing an abandoned park and in one of the swings, was Kuzan.

Looking down on the soil that covered this park, Kuzan's downcast glances spoke out to me immediately.

Thus, I silently took a seat on the other swing that was beside Kuzan's. Nevertheless, the first to speak wasn't I, but Kuzan.

"I should not have come. It was unrealistic of me. I thought that in these two months that I was gone that... Actually, it's not just two months. It's four months. I joined the program back in November if I recall correctly. Four months, then. No, that's five, if we count March as a whole, even though it's only beginning. In his eyes, I most likely am just a device to obey his orders."

In a high monochrome tone, Kuzan spoke his mind.

To contrast the spectacular weather that we witnessed this forming, the dark clouds surrounded the previously cerulean sky and made way for the pouring rain, which unleashed itself violently onto us.

Regardless of that, we simply continued to look downcast in a moment of sadness.

"You said it has to be like this but it doesn't... I could have--"

"Aniki, don't be stupid... If you had done and killed him like that, then you'd suffer the consequences. Relax, man! This... isn't your problem. It's mine..."

The droplets kept on increasing further and further. They splashed onto the soil so hard that our voices started to lose volume in the process.

"Kuzan... I know it's your problem but... if you don't let me solve it for you, then you should solve it yourself! Yet I know that's not an option! I don't know why, but you must have a reason for sure!"

"I never knew. I thought of you as someone who was just a manipulator with secondary intentions. I do trust my intuition and it tells me that the rooftop talk was just a way to manipulate me. I think I knew from the start, but I said to myself: 'Whatever!', because I didn't care. I had fun."

"Kuzan..."

Midst this, Kuzan started to clench his fists despite the endless rain coming down from the dark clouds above.

"However, even if it was a way to manipulate me. Even then, I faced your words with consideration. I have to face the consequences of my actions. This is it. My endeavor was useless. It hurts... a lot, you know? I think I'm highly sensitive, but I was really happy when you tried to change my situation..."

"....It doesn't have to be like this.... It's... not..."

"It's not what? Correct? I know. Right? Without a doubt. It's not right. Don't we just constantly feel conflicted about how our emotions entwine from right to wrong and wrong to right all the time? We both have done evildoings and will most likely keep on doing so. I think it's in our nature. That's why I believe I deserve this. It was meant to happen. Consequences come when I never expect them..."

It's true.

From time to time, even though we are slaves to our demonic nature, we both feel and express sentiments for things that are 'right' even though we mostly commit actions that are qualified as 'wrong'.

"When you said the word 'friend', I was really touched. Truth to be told, I never had a friend. I was either rejected and cast outside or ignored. I just accepted it as destiny. Yet... I.... couldn't help myself... I was... s-so happy....!"

Kuzan's loud cry came forth.

His translucent tears could not be noticed in the middle of the countless droplets that hit his face.

"I'm so frustrated, all the time. I want to end my life. Just go on. Next life. Look at my life, Aniki. It's miserable. I'm at some fucking fat guy's mercy and without him, my sister will not have anyone to take care of her. Fuck! I know he doesn't take care of her! I fucking know, alright!? I'm not a retard! I try not to imagine, but I just can't do so! The countless things he must do to her... It frightens me to a bizarre extent! But you know what fucks me up the most?! The fact that I can't do shit to change my situation!"

So this is the depth of his sadness and sorrow. Kuzan's extremely aware of his own situation.

I wonder just how much he has to hold himself back. Considering his choice of words and how he said that his step-father is the only source that cares for Emi.

Without a doubt, Kuzan only referred to his step-father as an economical source of caring, otherwise, I just can't see it.

"I'm sorry, Aniki. I won't be able to fulfill the deal. I also lied. I said I had parents, but they are... well..."

"You don't have to talk about it... I get it. I'm not made of stone, you know? I might not show feelings, but I can comprehend them."

The hardest part for me is to care in general yet in this situation, even I can't hide the way I feel towards this unjust situation.

Suddenly, as the droplets kept on rising formidably, my phone ringed.

Yulia was calling.

But I didn't pick up.

It wasn't important.

"Aniki... Are you sure you don't want to pick up?"

"I could... But that would mean that I would have to leave. Plus, it's coming down hard, y'know?"

"...We can't come back to my house to shower. I apologize in advance!"

She's going to be furious later on. No doubt.

"I like rain. I don't mind rain. I'm the type of person to sing and dance in the middle of the rain."

"I never tried it. Is it really that fun, Aniki?"

"I wouldn't qualify it as fun, necessarily. However, when you do something that not a lot of people do in general... you suddenly awaken a sense of discovery that speaks so many words to you."

In the end, we failed to do what we came here for. Would Kawahara be able to solve this situation?

Although I can't exactly perceive how, I'm sure that he might've found a way to solve this.

"I see! But you know, I'm sorry to talk back to the topic, but I... am fine with never having a friend. Your words about responsibility... I've noticed something. Taking responsibility gives me strength. I know I tried. I failed. But I tried. I don't regret trying. Failure is the living evidence that a fire was extinguished in my soul... But... I don't want that! I don't want my spirit to die continuously again and again at someone else's mercy!"

Kuzan's words sparked midst this mundane rainy scenario.

With his hand against his chest, he spoke what he felt sincere.

"That's why, from here on out, I vow to fight back!"

"Even if you are under someone else's mercy? Would you be able to revert the situation that was seen a while ago?"

Feeling reluctant now, Kuzan hesitated before speaking.

In the middle of the soil, Kuzan stood while keeping his head high.

"That's too good to be true. Which is why, I'll one day, get Emi out of there. I'll slowly rise and rise and make myself stable. Right now, I'm nothing. No point on boasting about strengths or qualities I don't have. If reality worked like that, this would not have happened yet it is what it is. Despite that, I will still rise."

This was the small story of the first day we got out of our school in two whole months.

And, for the first time ever, my unknown desire to have Kuzan, as a friend.