"But that will only happen at the end of all of this. Have you attended an event yet, Arkalee?"

So at the end of all of this, on our day of freedom, we will go to my house and he will ask my parents' permission to marry me?! But, but, you don't need their permission...

It's true that we can't get legally married yet but we can make vows and stuff like that to increase the potency of our love. Ohhh, but you are thinking about our children's future so you are taking the maximum precaution possible!

So thoughtful!

"Hey, Arkalee. You there?"

"A-Ah, yes! I'm here, I'm here!"

These thoughts of immediate jubilant happiness consumed me instantly without a warning. It's natural considering how happy I am. Even I can't hide it; my smile is showing itself radiantly as I look at you in your eyes, Hyunda.

"Are you okay? You seem to be out of it. Did something in addition happen?"

You happened.

"Ah, yes. But I'll answer your question my l--- Hyunda, sooo, I haven't! Why do you ask...?"

I almost said it. It's getting so hard to control my words lately that I just feel like letting my honest thoughts take over. And besides, Hyunda implied that he was aware that I love him and he didn't seem bothered by it.

Is that a sign that it's alright for me to advance? Say something, please...

"I was thinking about your plans. What do you plan on doing?"

"Oh, I want to win a lot of contests for sure. You should have this mindset too, you know? I'm worried about you..."

Because if you fail in the events then I can't do anything but sit back and watch as you fail... And I don't want that. If you fail the program's requirements then you will have to leave.

Regardless, that's not an actual problem. If Hyunda fails, then I will go along with him. We will die together and be together forever. However... If I can do something about his situation in the meantime, then I won't have to resort to such drastic measures...

"Thanks for worrying. But I'm more worried about you, Arkalee."

"You are...?"

"Yeah. You already have failed an exam and if you manage to score ten wins, then you should be able to subtract that. I'm not in the same position as I already have two exams accumulated. Which is why I want you to take this seriously, alright?"

Okay.

Sure, if you say so. I'll crush anyone that stands in my way. I wasn't that motivated to do the events but now that you say it, I'll do them for sure.

Therefore, I'll propose something along the way.

"Alright, sure... But, Hyunda, could you participate with me in the events? If we are together then I can help you and I'm positive that I can come in first place in at least ten events!"

But, if you want to be the first in every single one of them, then I will make sure that happens.

It's just that if you are there by my side then my self-esteem goes up tremendously. It's scary to even conduct these events without you by my side. Because, in the meantime that I'm doing them alone, what will you be doing?

Talking to someone else that isn't me? Approaching another girl? Giving Yulia attention? Prioritizing Daniel? THINKING about Ikkiri? Not a chance, hahah.

Speaking of Ikkiri... Skran is doing a good job of chasing her around with his group from the looks of it. It's somewhat trivial to even mention, but the events here work with 25 players per event. Therefore, a group that contains more than 10 greatly skilled individuals, academic-wise, will put Ikkiri in the bottom place in every single event.

In other words, Ikkiri won't win a single thing because she will be stalked by them every single time. Fifty events only to lose every single one of them. If only you didn't mess with my love you bitch, then this wouldn't have happened.

And no, this isn't the end. It's only going to get worse from here on.

"Unfortunately, I have things to do. As for those things, I've already explained to you, didn't I? How I want to make Daniel and his current girlfriend to be torn apart.

Once again, he didn't mention Yulia's name and went with an indirect intercourse choice of words. I am baffled, my love. So much consideration.

"Yes, you have mentioned that. But, you didn't specify the details either... You just said that I would be crucial to make it work. But, why do you want to break them up?"

Not that I object to your decision, my love. I support it, in fact. I just wish to know why you want to do something that pleases me so much. However, if this is too much for you to answer, then I can understand.

You are already doing a favor to me.

"I told you, Arkalee. I think Yulia's cheating on him so I want them to be torn apart because it's not good for Daniel, do you understand?"

?????

"Um, Hyunda?"

"Yeah? Oh, right... My bad. I'm still getting used to it... His girlfriend, then. Sorry."

I started freaking out for a second when he said Yulia's name out loud like that... What happened that made you forget your vow...? Well, at least your intention wasn't to hurt me even though I was prematurely hurt but it's fine now.

"Okay, as long as you don't do it again, hahaha."

Fakely, I laughed, but the truth is, I was so hurt on the inside that it wasn't even funny. Not even worth a laugh, so to say.

"Mhm... Now that you mention this, isn't it somewhat unfair that you are free to address everyone else in a natural way and I am not?"

"Do you want me to address everyone indirectly as well then?"

I really don't mind. I really, really don't. Because then, it would be something that only we two would do and thus I would be extremely happy. I can just call Yulia by 'Whore number 1', Sana by 'Whore number 2', Ikkiri by 'Fucking worthless piece of trash that should have never been created' and many other alternate names!

"Eh, it's fine. It would get confusing for you."

"Hah, no, it would not!"

Undeniably though, I'm really thankful for Hyunda to notice the controversy in my actions because that was intentional. I intentionally created this just so this could happen, but I'm disappointed that you aren't agreeing with me...

Are you jealous that I could ever mention another boy's name so much in your presence? Not to worry, I'm too loyal to you to ever do something as outrageous as that.

"Is that so? Well, as I was saying, in Daniel's steed, I want to break them up because his current girlfriend is probably cheating on him. According to Daniel, she's been absent and never pays him any attention and he is worried that this might mean that he's being cheated on. As his friend, I want to help his situation and break them up. For this to work, I need you to be on good terms with her, alright?"

You are doing so much for someone so worthless, Hyunda. It's beyond me why you bother with these trash cans. How about us? We can just talk and kiss each other and maybe discuss life ahead of us. How we are going to name our children and all that.

Remember back in the principal's office how you ironically mentioned that? Was it that ironic though? The fact that you had it in your mind should mean something, right? That maybe you are just in the same line of thought as I am.

But, alright.

"Alright, I got it. But... I don't know how to be on good terms with Yulia. Any suggestions?"

Test question. If you say: 'You should be on greater terms than me rather than anyone else' then I will give you a surprise kiss, hehe.

"If it isn't much, just apologize to her."

Ahhhh... Back to being tactless. Well, that didn't last long. Also, apologize to her? My love, what sort of joke is this?

"But, if it's much, you can just pretend. Or is it too much for you? In retrospect, if you hate Yulia or something of that sort, then you can still befriend her. Or is this impossible for you?"

Oh, if that's the case...

"Sure... I don't think I mind pretending honestly."

Pretending is something that I do every day. I pretend not to love you totally but on the inside, I am burning of jealousy and desire of wanting your affection. So, you could say that I am a professional at pretending, Hyunda.

"Are you sure, Arkalee? I want you to think about this. You know how I feel about forcing you to do something, right?"

"Of course, of course. But I really will do it, relax!"

There's that and the fact that I am supposedly yours so, as long as your orders aren't completely nonsensical such as hanging out with someone else or being away from me, then I will obey every single one of them.

Look, it's not as if I am disobeying you because I want to, my love. It pains me to go against your will, but in the past, when you said that you wanted to take a walk with Daniel, I just got supremely pissed off because I'm supposed to be special to you, so treat me specially, please.

"By the way, what do you plan on doing once you graduate and hopefully pass the program's requirements, Arkalee?"

Being your wife forever, what else? You've been asking so many self-explanatory questions, Hyunda.

What's wrong...?

Hahaha, as if I can just say that...

"Um... I haven't thought about it... What about you, Hyunda...?"

I wonder what he wants to be in the future? I'll support his decision, honestly. Ah, but it would be nice if he could choose a job that gives a good salary. So our kids can have a happy future.

I see what you are trying to do, Hyunda. You already want to know if I qualify as a mother, don't you!?

"The president of Japan, what else? Or maybe the prime minister? Shinzo Abe needs to be overthrown, honestly."

"Eh!? You want to be the president? No, wait, prime minister!?"

That's...

"I was joking. No way I can become something like that. I'm like you in this scenario. I haven't given much thought about this, at all. But, my point was that you can't afford to be behind academic tests and evaluation exams that require positive results. In other words, current events."

"Yes, I understand..."

So that was a joke...? That was weird... He even mentioned the prime minister...

"Also, that lemonade is already done. No need to keep on drinking it when there's nothing in it."

"Ah, yeah..."

I wasn't drinking it for the lemonade though. I was just tasting the traces of your saliva that have been in this specific straw. Naturally, I'll put this straw in my bag and take it with me to my room.

Speaking of my room, it's so beautiful now! I have finally managed to get enough pictures and started to stick them into my wall! Now, every time I wake up I can remember that time where we took pictures with one another, back on March 1st!

Of course, our texts are also there. I'm thinking of doing something better though. Maybe I should get a portfolio and collect every single one of our texts and print them just so I can put them there? That way, whenever I am bored, I can just read them. Yes, I can always go to my phone and read them but this way, I can read them more elegantly!

"Is there anything you want to talk about in specific? We are alone here, so now's the chance. I might get busy at this festival which means that I will not be able to be with you throughout the whole festival."

Huh!?

Why would you say such cruel words when I was in the middle of imagining thoughts that resembled how precious our union is?!

"B-But why!? Why can't we be together as I said...?"

"You have to learn how to be without me. Otherwise, others will think of you as weak. Do you want that?"

"But I don't care about what they think. They don't matter. At all."

I'm weak? Try me.

I'll silence you and your wrong opinions. You'll see.

"It's not about them, Arkalee. It's about you."

"Me...?"

"Yeah. I can't be your link of strength all the time, you need to be independently useful to yourself without me being a relevant factor to it. That's why we have to practice our distance. For this particular motive."

But if you are my link of strength and you are aware of that major factor then how can you suggest something as unreasonable as detaching myself from you!?

Distance?! Helloooooo!? That's a death flag for our romance!

"Am I allowed to reject this idea of yours...?!"

I don't want him to think that I am just rudely rejecting every single thing he throws at me but when you say something like that how do you expect me to react properly?!

"No, you're not. I can't always be there for you. I'm sorry. It's a fact. There will be times where I will be on my own and you will be on your own and you'll have to learn how to deal with the distance."

I'm freaking out. I'm freaking oooooouuuuttttt! What the hell! Deal with the distance!? Why!?

"Please don't say something like that... Maybe I don't want to learn how to deal with the distance! Hey, aren't two individuals united better than one individual on her own?! Completely logical, right?!"

And just what are you thinking exactly? I understand why you want to practice this 'distance' idea. According to you, it's because I'm too dependant on you and that means that I am getting weaker due to this dependence.

However, you just don't realize how nonsensical that suggestion is. No, it wasn't a suggestion!

It was an order! AN order! No, sorry. Not acceptable. We will be together forever and there is no debate here. No arguments will be made.

"Well, that's certainly logical, yes. Hm... I don't want you to think that I am against you or something so I'll put it from a better retrospective."

I don't believe that any retrospective will change my mind, love.

"If I ever leave you, due to some unexpected event, then I can't be there for you."

"Well, then don't be away. Simpleeeee."

Also, how can you suggest something as horrible as being away? I will slaughter anyone that takes you away from me.

Literally, I am not joking, I fucking mean this. You are mine!

"That's not realistic. I need you to follow my thought process a little bit without complaining. Do you remember the time when I was in the underground fulfilling the supply exam?"

"Uh, yeah..."

Was there ever a time like that? I try not to remember any time that didn't happen before I realized my feelings for you, so it's horrendously cruel of you to remind me of those unhappy times where I didn't know what happiness was actually like, also known as, loving you.

"During that time, I couldn't be with the rest of the class, in other words, only the boys were present back then. If an event like that happens again, then I am bound to be away."

"Don't worry, I'm preeeeeeetttyyyy sure that won't happen, hahaha."

If I knew ahead of time that I would fall in love with you this badly then I would've just stopped the event from happening.

I didn't though.

"I'm not. Here is why. I'll fail this exam."

?!

"Sorry!?"

How can you say that!? Fail the exam!? Hyunda, you need to stop speaking nonsense...!

"It's just the truth. It's so irrelevant and partial if you think about it. You can literally just go back to your dorm and chill out. Hey, wanna do that? Wanna come to my room again?"

"Oka---"

"Just kidding. This is serious for you. Not for me though. Henceforth, I'll probably have to endure the consequence which is the supply exam. Alternatively speaking, I might not be able to be with you for a while. Got it?"

I really hate how you just made a joke about that. I was so serious just now, Hyunda.

Yet you just threw that option out of the window like it was nothing! But, if you wanted to, hypothetically speaking, invite me to your room, it means that you desire my presence and that you need my presence to be in your room, right?

Therefore, it should also mean that you want something out of my presence. Did you think something along the lines of connecting deeply with me via physical ways?

Just say it. I really want you to say it.

"Arkalee... You gotta stop spacing out. I just said something important..."

"Oh! You're right! My bad, hehe. What were we talking about again?"

There's no way that I actually spaced out, I was just pretending to just so you can forget that nonsensical talk about distance.

"I see. This talk is really bothering you, isn't it?"

"No, no. It's not the talk. It's the topic, that's all. Please don't force me to obey that type of order. I'm really not comfortable with it."

Unfortunately, I'm not the type of person that just swallows every single order. It needs to be romantically logical to me, honestly!

Like, if you ask me a girl's number, then it's logical to break that girl's phone, right!? Because that way, you won't be interested in her, hahaha.

"We can postpone this topic, I suppose. Maybe today's not a good day."

"It will never be a good today when it comes to that topic, hahaha."

Just don't insist on it, okay? Why be distant when you can be closer? Like, right now? We are really close. Almost glued to one another. Ahhh, can I just, feel your embrace already? Please?

"I'll get back to it eventually, Arkalee."

"Likewise."

"...That aside, do you want to go somewhere else?"

"Mhm...? Well, isn't it just nice in here? You can observe the vast blue sky still lingering on to the fallen clouds that are scattered throughout the lost canvas. Furthermore, the sun isn't a bother; as the weather reflects the temperature nicely! Not too warm nor too cold! Plus, we can just stay here and talk a lot. Ah, if you are worried about the events then don't be. It's the first day! However, I'll take them seriously! So, take them seriously too, please."

I won't obviously say something as outrageous like 'the events don't matter' because they obviously do!

Sincerely, all in all, I just hope that Hyunda isn't thinking about failing this exam on purpose...

"I already told you my opinion about that. Also, let's go somewhere else. Aren't we losing the multiple attractions that the festival has to offer by staying here? Actually, I saw a gelateria near block D. I think it's new here, in school. Wanna give it a go?"

"Eh, really? A gelateria? Hm..."

I'm getting somewhat skeptical. I wouldn't mind checking it if that's actually the case because I like ice cream and the fact that we are at the beginning of the spring season doesn't affect me.

However... Mhm... I really want to stay here. Oh well. I guess it wouldn't hurt to be a little more open-minded about this...

"By coming along, I could get to know your preferences when it comes to ice cream flavors. Or do you not like that idea?"

Oh. Oh. This is for the sake of getting to know more about me? Sorry, I just... Wow.

You surprise me so much, it's unbelievable.

"I do like that idea. Let's go then!"

Thus, we exited the garden and made our way to the gelateria that was near block D.

Not too big nor too small, it was a small house that wasn't entirely populated yet it had its fair share of students inside.

It's impressive how these events that occur throughout the festival aren't being taken that seriously by many yet to me, they are really important.

Nonetheless, there's no need to rush them.

My idea of doing them with Hyunda still stands. What do I need to do to convince him to take the exam seriously...?

Geez, you're such an enigma, my love.

"Oh..."

While walking inside the gelateria, we crossed a somewhat familiar face. A face that has been long lost in my memory.

No, not someone from our class but someone that we had already met previously. This person immediately presented terrible appearance skills as her horrible braids were all over the place.

Does she even apply products before making them? Clearly not, from the looks of it. Laughable.

I'm positive that she attempted to manipulate parts of her hair with dry hands yet people don't realize just how much that screws the whole process...

"Hyunda...?"

No, that wasn't me. It was someone that had the audacity to address my love without a second thought.

"Oh, you are... Mhm... I remember now. It's been a while, Maria."

Ummmmmmmmm.

"Hyunda?"

I had to call him out while he was exchanging that pure nonsensical trade of words with Maria, the girl that was for some reason, not gone completely yet.

Truth to be told, I never really got rid of her.

"It's fine, Arkalee."

No, no, it's not!

"Am I bothering something...?"

Perplexed, Maria couldn't help but ask that. She looked ready to leave so I decided to drag Hyunda to the other side of the gelateria just so she could leave immediately.

"Nope. You were on your way to leave, right, Maria? My bad there. Go ahead!"

Suggesting her to take the leave, I happily said those words.

Yet for some reason, she looked reluctant to obey my words and did something unexpected.

"Umm, Hyunda, are you seeing someone right now?"

? ? ? ? ? ? Hmmm? What? Did I just...? No, I definitely did.

"Well, no."

No, my love. Don't say that. Maria will actually think that you don't belong to someone and will then try and see if you are open to her! No, no!

"Um, Maria, now's not the time. Can you leave already?"

It's hard to be polite in the face of the bitch that just asked my man if he was open to dating. However, dumb creatures like you should be spared on the premise that you just never show up ever again in front of our faces.

So, why are you not going away, Maria?!

"...No."

What the fucking fuck did you just say?

"Sorry?"

"I said no... Hyunda, you are available, right? Come with me, then!"

Simultaneously to those unreliable words, in the exact time, I check the inside of my bag to confirm that a certain instrument was there.

Realistically speaking, this situation was bound to happen sooner or later.

It was just a matter of time. So, it will come down to this? Again?

Alright. It can't be helped.

"I'm---"

"No need to answer that Hyunda. You said something about distance, right? Let's practice that! In the meantime, I and Maria will play!"

"Sure."

Thank you for confirming, my love. Now, as for the confused Maria...

"Hey, I want to have a word with you!"

"But I---"

She's persistent, so I brought her closer to me and spoke directly to her ear closely.

What I spoke off, was a piece of information that a third-rate slut like her wouldn't be able to deny due to how desperate she is.

"I can help you win Hyunda's heart, just come along!"

Naturally, she wasn't able to deny this, as Maria just shook her head in a manner of consent.

Ultimately, I dragged Maria out of the gelateria and brought her closer to the school's main gate, where students could leave at any so given time.

Of course, this didn't apply to me.

The majority of the time at least. Considering how every other guard is busy securing the festival's progress and order, only one guard is guarding the main gate. I already took that into consideration, fortunately.

"Where are we going...?"

"Oh, just you wait and see. I have to tell you all there is about Hyunda!"

What a lie. However, in the end, I will tell you something regarding him.

Good luck capturing what I will say though.

Future phenomenons aside, I texted Skran and asked him to start a fight near-by the main gate. A fight that would distract the gate guardian, of course.

Skran is a class A student and thus, I've already talked to him before. Unfortunately for the teachers, I don't really care about the rule of interaction. The consequence was just some stupid assignments and some scolding from Basara-sensei...

The thing about Skran is that... He's totally in love with me. My looks work so well along with my innocent attitude on every single other person that isn't you, Hyunda.

More the reason to love you, babe.

In the end, just as predicted, after passing through the main gate with no guard securing it because the guard was too busy stopping the fight, Maria and I walked out of the school.

"Um, Arkalee. Just tell me now, what you wanted to talk about. Tell me all you know about Hyunda!"

How demanding. Truly fitting of you.

I thought that you were the type of slut who knew her place but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Which is why we are going to the highest peak of this mountain. Until then though...

"Wait for it... It's really important that no one knows this type of information... If you let someone else know about this, then someone else can use it against you! Which is why we have to be alone. Got it?"

"Oh... Okay! It must really be important huh!? To the point where we have to change locations, I see."

Little do you know, Maria.

Little do you know...

Fifteen minutes later, after climbing the whole stairway to the top of the mountain, a huge cliff could be found.

Thankfully, this mountain doesn't have any residents outside of the school students but they are all too busy attending the festival.

Hyunda, you said something about distance, right? I don't like what you said about it though. If we grow distant then beings like Maria will take advantage of our distance and this happens!

They will think that you aren't mine and that I don't love you when I do! Therefore... I need to get rid of people that think with this misconception in their minds...

"Woah... I didn't know that there was a huge cliff like this!"

"Yup! It's a really big cliff, Maria!"

We both were almost on the edge of the cliff. Just by glancing upon the bottom of the cliff, Maria got immediately skeptical as she formed a worried expression.

"H-Hey... Do we really need to discuss it here...?"

"Eh? No, not really."

Well, it's time.

Going through my bag, I could feel the back of its edge... Sharp and metallic, as I clearly remembered. Usually, I always carry it around yet I started turning skeptical lately regarding its usage.

I am glad that I thought of putting my knife inside the bag today. This scenario has been going on and on inside my mind. How some random slut would approach Hyunda without knowing her place...

Although, I'll admit that it was surprising... Maria, out of all the people.

"Huh? Then why did we come here...? Wait, w-what are you holding....!?"

Oh, she noticed the knife in my hand. Too bad for her. Our distance is pretty much nonexistent as of now. And you just so happen to be facing against the edge of the cliff with your back turned against it.

No, it was no coincidence. Our positions were matched perfectly for this moment alone.

"You deserved it, bitch."

With a sharp stab on her abdomen, the knife's edge pierced her abdomen fatality spelling her death.

Shocked by what was happening, Maria just couldn't believe it.

"E-Eh...? Why...? Did you....? I thought that we were friends---"

"Nope. Friends? Nice one. Reflect on your unforgivable offense in hell, Maria!"

Finishing the whole act, I gave her a heavy push and made her fall over the cliff. Accordingly, the cliff should be over a thousand meters tall. Sincerely, far more, but what matters is that her body will fall into the bottom thus killing her completely.

Noticeably, I took my knife off her abdomen before watching her fall off the cliff.

Her screams while falling spelled unspoken joy to me as I nostalgically felt the very similar sensation of getting rid of any girl that approaches the one I love.

"Ahhh... Right, Maria, sorry about that. I forgot to say it... The thing about Hyunda that no one knows and that everyone should know is that... He's mine and only mine. So, what just happened is not my fault. It's yours. If you had never approached him then this wouldn't have happened. Nothing personal, since I would've done something like this to any other girl, really."

Ikkiri's case is a bit different. She needs to literally suffer.

Hm? Why isn't Maria saying something though?

How rude...!

"Hey, Maria ---- Oh, you're gone?"

Where is she though? Wasn't she here just a moment ago?

Curious to know where she went, I checked and gazed upon the deep bottom of the cliff.

There, I saw a small body spattered all over the place, although, from my position, the body was smaller than an ant.

Almost atom-size.

Truly fitting, because that's how small you are, Maria.

"Ah, oops. Were. That's right you are gone."

Really, really, it's your fault, you know?

If only you didn't utter those particular words at the person I very much deeply love...

If only, right?

Okay! Time to go back to school now!

Hyunda's waiting for me surely!