Somewhere within the mid days of April, everything would begin to take a drastic change. But it's important to know that Percy Phoenix was firstly seeking to utilize his tyrannical methods on our class and although several days went by at first, he wasn't making his move for one specific reason alone that we all didn't know about.

Everyday he would come to our classroom and would have conversations with Lus in regard of the boys. This was done so Percy could gain intellect on the boys. Of course, he essentially demanded all knowledge that we had on them, but most of us would pretend to not know much and as a matter of fact, we don't really know much about them. They are just boys who frequent our classes. Most of them are anti-social despite being labelled as criminals.

This day, as already mentioned, it would be different.

My everyday has been the same... All I do is wake up, eat, go to class, eat lunch, go to class again, and then eat dinner. I read in an article once that depressed individuals sleep for longer time periods than usual. Maybe that's why all I need to do once I reach my room is just get in my bed and put up my alarm so I don't miss morning classes.

I've lost count of the days and hours barely matter to me anymore. No one really talks to me. At maximum, I get worried glances from my female classmates, but in the end, nobody cares. They didn't interact with me before and only did so because Yulia had died. Seeing my non-interactive apathetic stance towards them managed to shake them off and as such, they no longer "care".

All that's riding on the line is for the culprit to turn herself in, but that's not happening. I am beyond certain that Yukishiro, Arkalee, and Shizuku were involved, but they will never admit it. With that said, the only really relevant event happening is the battle between Percy and Lus.

To summarise what they are battling for; it's the outcome of the boys' exam. By claiming whoever gets expelled, the one who calls the most right will be the winner.

An event so relevant that every time Percy would walk into the classroom, the class had to stop and Percy would continuously attempt to extract information out of every single one of us without making a single exception. Even though we have told him numerous times already that we don't know much. However, he makes different questions every time and sometimes we have positive answers to it, so that's his strategy.

Right now, at this current moment, it's 10 am and our tables are all united. We are seated on our seats in a horizontal line as if we were prisoners awaiting for the guard to call out our names. It was without a doubt a humiliating feeling and despite getting hateful glares from almost every girl here, Percy didn't care. I couldn't really feel anything these days.

Manifesting my feelings always comes after I have a superstition on how pointless it is to do so. I would just be seeking attention at that point and... I wouldn't be any different from them...

"This Daniel dude has been picking my interest, Lus. How can he have 1000 years of jail to do? Was this a mistake or something? Hey, teach, tell us!"

With his chair backwards, he was in front of all of us, as we 11 would cast our attention onto him, differently. Recently, he picked an interest on Daniel because of his absurd jail sentence written on paper.

Daniel... I wonder how he's dealing with it... It must be horrible for him... He... isn't going to make it out alright, is he? For a special exam to occur right after that.... What bad luck... If only there was something I could do to help him.... but he's out of my reach, so...

Unhappy, I cast my glance down while feeling the immense weight on my eyebags. Meanwhile, Lus conducted the conversation with Percy with all eyes on her.

She's standing right in the middle in-between Kanawari and Hinagiku on her other side.

"It's useless to instigate our jail sentences because we won't speak about it. He never mentioned anything about it. Though, if you ask me, I have no idea."

Lus' answer contributed absolutely nothing to Percy and Yuka-sensei didn't respond to Percy's previous question either, which made Percy fume.

"What is he like then?! Something about him! You seat next to him, you must've noticed something!"

I still remember how initially all of our attention was focused on Daniel, but it quickly went away as he showed no signs of behaving like someone who deserves such a jail sentence. This was a common thought among us and we had denied anything that would put suspicions onto Daniel.

Not because we did it on purpose but because there was relatively nothing about him. As Lus would say in three seconds...

"He's very average. I am entirely convinced that his jail sentence is greatly exaggerated. In my first day here, I did research on the longest prison sentences that there are and here is how it is: The longest jail sentence was attributed to Terry Nichols. His crimes aside, he was sentenced for 161 life sentences which in years of jail is about 9,300 years. In second place comes Michael Devin who obtained a 2020 years worth of jail sentence. In third place is Abdullah Barghouti with 5,200 years of jail. For the record, those were the jail sentences above his 1000 years of jail to supposedly fulfill."

Not everyone knew this, myself included, so we were naturally in awe. Right on the first day, Lus had made her impressive yet simple research on the matter, but she still harbourded doubts in regard.

"According to such theory, he would be in fourth place. There is just one staggering difference here. Those three individuals I mentioned are fairly way older than him. The fact that he is a teenager and is under such a heavy jail sentence is very hard to believe. I am not pledging nor appealing to his innocence, but I highly suspect he was conspired against. That's all I can tell you about him."

To this, Percy was not mad and followed along Lus' reasoning reasonably.

"I think so too... Though... This requires more research done on him. Did he have a girlfriend or something? Someone close to him here?"

Kanawari cleared Percy's doubt in a flash, out of impulse, as everyone already knew the answer to that except Percy.

"He did... It was Yulia, our classmate..."

Hearing her name used for the sake of convenience in a conversation like this, made me open my eyes far wider than usual as I began to feel anxiety. It shouldn't be like this... Utilizing the dead for a discussion topic is wrong...

However, Percy already did know about what had happened to Yulia, so he facepalmed when he realized something.

"Are you serious.... The one who had a clue to what he could have possibly done is dead...? Damn it!"

Make no mistake. This heartless bastard was not fretting because of what had happened to Yulia. He was fretting over the fact that he wouldn't be able to extract information out of Yulia.

I wish someone would kill Percy.

"Percy, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Hm? What do you mean, Lus?"

"I mean how we agreed that we would cast our votes each day and I've been doing that, but you haven't done that once."

It's true. Percy had initially agreed to cast his vote on who would be expelled from the program as a consequence of failing the exam that is occurring at the moment, on a daily basis. Nonetheless, he did none of that and his reasoning was the following:

"I am going to extract as much information as I can from you people and only when I feel secure enough, will I cast my votes. It's dumb to blindly cast votes."

"You still said you wou---"

"How about this: Should a single one of them reach here earlier than me, then I officially lost due to not attending the actual competition?"

It was a risky gamble because as far as anyone is concerned, one of the boys could be done with the exam and could walk in at any moment thus symbolizing Percy's defeat. However, he felt confident enough to the point of assuming that wouldn't happen.

Seeing her advantage in this, Lus agreed.

"I accept. Everyone here is a witness to what you just said. Don't go back on your words, Percy."

"Not in my intentions to do so. But, I've started to form a grasp on their profiles. It just sucks that I don't have much to work with. I don't even know where they are at. Teach, do you?"

Not even Percy knew where the boys where in despite all of his financial wealth, assumably. I am beyond certain that he must've tried to do some research on their whereabouts, but just as anyone could predict, it went about as negative as it could've been.

In addition to that, Yuka-sensei always delivered the same answer every time Percy would ask the same question.

"My superior didn't give me enough information such as their cohesive location, so no. Tough luck."

"Tsk... Worthless..."

In a very low toned voice, he murmured that. At the moment, Percy had nothing to work with except our information. No matter what he did, unless he had a direct control over the way their exam was being conducted, he was stuck in this scenario.

His wealth couldn't be off any use if their whereabouts remain unknown.

This caused Percy to become even more pessimistic than usual and he would usually take out his rage on us. However, he decided to call it a day once he saw that he was wasting his time here. In his mind, he most likely thought that with his financial wealth he could somehow obtain their locations, but I for some reason doubt that.

"I'll spare you for today, Lus. I'll be back tomorrow!"

"The result will still be the same..."

Though Lus said that, Percy clashing the door in with brute strength completely drained the vocal sound out of her line.

Just like that, our classes were free to resume and so they did. We didn't bother to change our seats and continued the same way until lunch.

Monochromatically, I noted all the subjects' matter onto my notebooks in hope the time for lunch would come. When it did, I made sure to be the last one to leave the classroom.

Recently, I don't like to be around anyone. I believe it's the same for everyone else too, because I am either approached out of pity or not at all.

I've come to the conclusion that I am unwanted by everyone on this planet. The only one who gave me peace of mind is gone. And he...

"I know you're gonna feel lonely soon so hit me up whenever you do. You're not gonna believe me, but if you call me or text me, I'll be there for you."

As I stuffed my utensils in my school bag, I relived that memory that went down weeks ago. I thought that I already had forgotten about that moment but it's when I feel the most down that I suddenly start to relive it.

You liar... You are in a deserted island... There's a limit to how much you can make fun of my emotions...

"........."

Ultimately, with no one else in the classroom except for Yuka-sensei, I looked ready to leave and head to the cafeteria to eat lunch as usual, but Yuka-sensei spoke to me from afar for some reason.

"Oh--- Sana, Lus forgot about her vote sheet!"

"Eh....?"

My eyes followed the trail of Yuka-sensei's finger that led all the way to Lus' seat on the North entrance of the classroom. On top of her desk, lied a vote sheet strictly made by Percy. Each day, Lus would have to deliver that sheet with her votes on it to Percy in block A. However, strangely enough, she forgot about it...

"Could you do me a favor and give it to her? Sorry..."

Not having any emotional strength left to deny this task, I didn't speak and grabbed the sheet whilst walking out of the classroom.

As I descended the first wave of stairs on the second floor of block F, I took a peek at her votes. However, there were none, which didn't make a whole lot of sense...

"Did she left it there on purpose...?"

Then, I stopped while in the middle of the staircase. There was something written on the back of the sheet; a warning officially written by Percy.

"Possession of this item must remain in possession of its owner during intervals. So this means that Percy must have this now..."

There's not much of a point in giving this to Lus then, because it was her job to deliver it to Percy but if she forgets then something will spark again and Percy will just use that as an excuse to execute his tyrannical methods, won't he...

Still, I truly made the decision of going all the way towards block A not because I wanted to do this for Lus, nor to stop something, but because I couldn't bear to put myself through the same routine again every day.

Midst my walk towards block A, I hid the sheet in my bag and thought to myself that perhaps I am so tired of everything being the same that I subconsciously took this opportunity to break out of the habit.

All the way towards block A, I didn't elevated my eyesight length beyond the usual margin. In other words, my eyeglance was always down and straight up depressing. But of course, even though students were passing through me in this sunny day, it's not as if someone would comfort a lonely sad person that's passing through, right?

At maximum, you just stare, maybe one second longer than usual... Then you look away and proceed to do what you were doing. Someone's emptiness is no concern, right?

Maybe they think to themselves that nobody would help them when they are going through a rough time so what would be the point of reaching out for someone who wouldn't do the same?

I am, as I said, unwanted. Even before coming here, I wasn't in the greatest position ever. As a matter of fact, far from it.

But, I have enough past to dwell on, so I refuse to dwell on an even deeper past.

"Of course they won't offer you sympathy! Did you know? Humans cannot change, at all. At their core, they have to obey their nature at all times. At maximum, they can adapt and act accordingly to the environment to survive within the atmosphere. In other words, the moment you start to see someone reach out for you, don't think that they had a change of heart for a second---- they are just obeying the laws of the atmosphere. No one's special---however, for you, I wouldn't mind making an exception, Sana."

Almost at the entrance of block A, I stopped my tracks. To be specific, I am within a downward spiral stairway that is from the main school gate that allows students to freely walk to any block faster without having to go through the trouble of venturing the whole campus. It's fairly long, containing about fifteen layers of intervalls in-between each section. The entrance from here was already visible, but my eyes were not there at the entrance.

Oddly enough, the stairway was empty. I was unsure if that was rare or not, because I am really close to block A. Regardless, as I recalled that particular thought, I felt suddenly emotional and bursted out loud while taking my cellphone out from my right skirt's pocket.

"Liar! LIAR! I'll expose you from your useless lies so you won't make me believe in you again, Hyunda!"

I began to furiously type a message to the number he had given me that day.

"I........ really....... need...... you........ no---------"

Though slightly sarcastic with a hint of truth in it, my attention was stolen by my eyesight capturing two individuals walking side by side without talking to each other. At the beginning of the entrance of block A, protected by four guards, I spotted Percy from afar walking with......

"You've gotta be kidding me..."

Unable to believe what I was seeing from afar, I took a picture quickly of them and began to run away with all my speed in the opposite direction of where I was going; in other words back to where I came from.

My message wasn't sent because I couldn't afford to stay in that place.

After running for about forty seconds, I encountered a girl's bathroom and took refugee there. Some of the girls at first wondered what I was doing, but I made sure to sneak in the bathroom completely while listening to their footsteps.

"What the hell is he doing here....?!"

Catching my breaths, once I started to not notice their footsteps sounds, I went back to the entrance and looked towards my left where I saw both of them continuing to walk. Ultimately, in silence still, they both turned to their left where a dead end would be in.

".....Should I----No, what if I get cau---Ah, but----Gosh, fine!"

I'll just use the excuse of having to deliver the sheet to Percy if anything goes wrong...

Needless to say, I walked out slowly and then, right before reaching the path where they both turned to their left on a complete dead end, I cast glance at them very quickly before putting my eyesight away once Percy looked towards my direction.

"......"

Thankfully, he didn't notice me and with that, I had my back against the wall. They were about ten meters ahead of us so there wasn't a way for me to listen to what they would say, once they began talking.

However, something beyond my imagination subsequently happened. His phone number ringed in as he was calling me.

"...What...?! But he's right there, so how---"

I thought of looking once again, but I was afraid of getting caught unnecessarily, so I hesitated on picking it up. After three to four seconds, I reluctantly picked up, but I didn't say anything.

"............"

Neither did he, which was strange, until I heard Phoenix's voice from the call. No, he wasn't speaking, he was just in a very short distance from the cellphone.

"Are you done?"

In a very impatient manner, Percy demanded to know if he was done with what he was doing or not. The fact that he deliberately called me and hasn't spoken to me yet means that he wants me to listen to this conversation...

"Yeah. I was just checking my friend's new profile picture on Instagram. She's hot. Want her number?"

What the hell is that excuse?!?!

"Don't fuck with me. You got a lot of nerve suddenly showing up in block A when you don't even have permission to walk in. Furthermore, aren't you supposed to be in a deserted island, Hajime Hyunda?"

It really is him... I wasn't hallucinating earlier. Hyunda is actually here, but how?! He was supposed to be in a deserted island yet...

"Let's not go over useless details like that, Phoenix."

"It's Percy."

"So, Phoenix, I take it that you are interested in the offer I made you back there?"

....What offer? What is Hyunda talking about...?

"It better be good. You said you would give me the island's location. But give me one good reason as to why I shouldn't just report you to the principal myself?"

"Now, now, Phoenix... Don't be so impatient. Girls hate that, you know? You're never gonna make it out of it like that, for the record."

"Get to the fuck-"

Though Hyunda was joking around, as soon as Percy looked ready to burst, he continued and took him by surprise.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to tell the principal about this?"

"What do you mean...?"

"I am saying, Phoenix, what if this whole competition between you and Lus got leaked? An uprising company leader dwelling in a silly bet like that and losing. Can you imagine the shame your father's company would have to bear..."

"How-----No, that's not important. I'm not losing, so that's not happening."

Hyunda then began to lightly laugh towards Phoenix in a disrespectful manner through the cellphone.

"Hahaha.... You seriously intend to win without taking direct control of our exam? Phoenix, you're gonna lose to a fucking girl whose knowledge is as limited as yours!"

Subsequently, Phoenix's voice could be heard throughout the whole hallway, not just through the cellphone, which just proved that Hyunda got his point across...

"I won't lose to her! Give me the island's location! I will go there by myself and take control of it, damn it! How much do you want?! Name a price and I will give it to you!"

Wait, is he serious...?! Hyunda can just demand high quantities of money if he wants to... That's probably want he will do, but still, does Hyunda really have a way to leak the island's location?

And why is he doing this....?! This idiot is going to ruin everything! If Lus loses, then all the boys suffer and he's included! What the hell is he thinking?!

"Phew! That's what I like to hear, Phoenix!"

"....Name it..."

Percy clearly sounds desperate as he would never show this level of inferiority towards someone who couldn't give him a helping hand. However, his pride won't allow him to accept defeat over something as silly as this.

Plus, if he loses, and word gets out, his clout might be ruined, so it's a bit understandable why he's desperate. But this entire situation benefits him, Hyunda!

"I don't want your money."

"You what?! Who the hell doesn't want my money!? What, you want chicks to bang instead?! I'll get you as many as you want!"

"You know, you're not a bad business man, Phoenix. If you are capable of making such deals, maybe instead of leading a company, you should stick to being a salary-man, hahah!"

......What exactly was he implying just now? Was that a yes or no...?

.............

"Get to the point, I don't have all day. What is it that you want then?"

"It's simple, Phoenix. I want competition!"

"Excuse me...?"

I am perhaps as confused as Percy is. It's highly unclear what Hyunda really wants here.

But at last, he would speak his mind.

"I am bored. So here is the drill: In addition to giving you the island's location, I will give you one simple task that you must get it done."

"Which is?"

Percy can't even make a counter-argument because the moment Hyunda said he would give the island's location his mind instantly aligned with whatever Hyunda had to propose in opposition.

"Until April is over, we will play a hide and seek game."

"Are you joking?"

"No, I'm not, Phoenix, but let me conclude. This hide and seek game will be in the deserted island. Here is the overall picture of the game: There are ten of us taking the exam, if you include me. By the way, I will participate, so don't worry. Anyway, you will be tasked with apprehending the ten of us. In other words, before April ends, if you capture the ten of us, you win."

...............Huh....?

What is the point of this? None of this is making any sense. Not only is Hyunda not demanding anything except for a hide and seek game, but his proposition will most likely be denied by Percy for a very obvious reason...

"Are you out of your mind? You are telling me to go to a deserted island with ten dangerous criminals lurking in the unknown? That's absurd---"

But Percy was quickly interrupted before he could further assume more on his own.

"I'll allow you to take with you, people in this school, regardless where they are from or who they are, up to the quantity of 500. As a matter of fact, I will only agree with this, if you align 500 people, yourself included, in order to play this game with me."

...........!!!

"And what makes you think I'll actually accept this, you damn rat?! Am I supposed to take responsibility for whatever happens to 499 people?!"

"Oh come on, Percy. THINK! Do you actually think they will really think of it as anything beyond a school trip?"

"Huh...?"

Confused, Percy couldn't really understand what Hyunda was implying as neither could I. In the end, Hyunda sighed deeply before explaining in detail what he wanted to be done.

"Phoenix, you're a student council member, so do the following: Make an excuse and create a contest where 499 people will be victorious should they get in the top 499. This school has about 2000 or so students, so all you need to do is to create a stupid contest in-between 2000 students, also known as all the students in this school and have it done as soon as possible. As I said, the 499 top winners will be rewarded. Rewarded with what? A dream trip to a deserted tropical island! Of course, you should award each of those 499 with money prizes. For example: give them a small 50,000 yen each and they will be more happy to attend!"

"50,000 yen?! That's fucking ridiculous!"

"That's my point though. It's such a ridiculous reward that no one wouldn't say no to it. Furthermore, in a battle between 2000 students, 499 will be victorious. The chances are absurdly high for anyone. Admit it, it's simple for you and for anyone. It doesn't have to be something mind-blowing, just get it done. Cash prizes always work."

As Percy already stated, the cash prize is very ridiculous and absurd. But, there is no doubt that anyone would participate.

"On second thought, do it as a participation prize. That makes more sense, doesn't it? You're rich, Phoenix. Flex that money on their faces! HAHAHA!"

Now anyone that participates will get 50,000 yen for free?! Just as long as they participate?! There's no way that Phoenix will agree though.

This is all too absurd, Hyunda...

"No way."

"No way what, Phoenix?"

Hyunda's voice tone became slight more colder now... It's no longer childish and burstful...

"No way I'm doing all that shit."

"Even though you could just ask those 499 people to help you in your hide and seek endeavor?"

..............!!!!

"Wait... You---- You can't take that back. You said it. You said it...! You fucking said it! There's no taking it back, rat!"

Hyunda, what are you thinking?! 500 versus 10?! In what world does that work?!

And even after that, I expected Hyunda to show some sort of fear in his voice, but instead of at least trying to reject Percy's affirmations, he instead... enforced them.

"You're free to bring more people from the school to the island, Phoenix. Just remember that 500 is the minimum required. Anything beyond that is highly acceptable!"

"....You.......... What----- Hahaha... Ha...... HAHAHA!"

Percy's laugh was so loud that it attracted everyone passing by through the hall. I no longer felt the need to hide with my back against the wall as I took a small peek at what was happening and saw Percy rolling on the ground, punching his own gut from laughing too hard.

"You fucking rat....!!! Retarded, moronic, rat! You criminals are the dumbest there are, I swear!"

".........."

Hyunda looked devoid of silence and didn't speak another word but instead ended the call and showed Percy something on his cellphone instead.

If I had to take a guess, it would be the island's location to which he was giving it to Percy; thus effectively sealing his doom...

Upon seeing it, Percy took a photo of it and said his final words to Hyunda, before coming in my direction.

"Once you lose, all you criminals will be vanquished from my territory."

"........."

Without speaking a single word, Hyunda watched Percy walk away.

As for me, I quickly retreated into the bathroom while running away at high speed so Percy couldn't spot me.

Once again on the entrance of the girls' bathroom, I placed my two hands on my chest and breathed the atmosphere in.

There were still girls here and they asked me what that was all about, but I didn't tell them the truth because even if I did, it would be too absurd and they wouldn't believe me.

"Oh, I see... Hey, wasn't that Percy, just now?"

"I think that was his voice, yeah!"

The clique began their chatter at the bathroom's sinks whilst applying make up. As for me, I wanted to calm myself for a while as I am still processing the presence of Hyunda here.

So, I entered one of the toilets and sat on the closed toilet.

Unwilling to have a moment to relax, the cellphone in my right hand began to ring and it was his number, however...

"I'll ignore him... He might hear my voice from here and know I'm here..."

I said those words in an extreme low volume and didn't pick up the phone. Once the call was done, I turned off my phone and took a deep breath.

"Phew..."

I thought to myself that since this is the girls' bathroom that he wouldn't come in. Unless a boy would want to be shunned by their opposite gender badly, no sane boy would do that, however.......

"KYAAAAAAAA!!"

"A BOY!!"

"GET OUT OF HERE, YOU PERVERT!!"

From inside the bathroom, I could hear several items being thrown at a boy who willingly walked right into the opposite gender's bathroom. It would be unthinkable to remain in here for yet another second as any other boy would flee from being this harassed, but I began to feel even more nervous once he said something in spite of all.

"Did a girl with a red ribbon on the top of her hair walk in here in a very nervous manner?"

Wh--------

I am not nervous...

Please throw more items at him, girls!

"Get out of here, you molester!"

"Guard!"

But, despite what he was being told to do, he checked the first door of the only row of toilets to the right. I could see what he was doing because I was kneeling down on the ground and through the visible rupture of the horizontal gaps, I could see someone's shoes.

Noticeably, there were other girls in the bathroom, too afraid to leave or simply in the middle of doing their necessities......

Therefore, as soon as he struck his bargain to see the first one, he was struck in the face with what I believe was a purse...

"DIE! GYAAAAAAA!!!"

Embarrassed and not knowing what to do in this situation, I cracked a small grin unknowingly and laughed a bit.

"No wait, why am I laughing, this is wrong....!"

And then, he walked through the second door.

This time, the girl didn't react instantly. From what I can see here, she's not seating down and see is collecting her panties up...

Oh God...

"Shaving is healthy. Well done!"

"KYAAAAAAAA!"

A resonating sound was heard loud and clear throughout the whole bathroom as the remaining girls began to exit the bathroom.

Since I was in the fourth toilet, there was still one more to go and sincerely, I was curious to know how this one would react so I waited until he checked her out.

Her reaction was not within my expectations whatsoever.

"I don't think there's anyone else here? Oral?"

"Woah. Can't say I dislike aggressive feisty ones."

I am not aware of why or how I did what I did, but I instantly got up from the ground and began to climb the wall separating us on my left.

Then, as I saw him place his hands on his waist belt, I shouted without hesitation.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?!"

Surprised, the girl said something stupid.

"Oh, so there was someone else here..."

"Get out! Get out! Get out, now!"

That stupid girl who was practically kneeling down, looked so dumb and clueless that I spourted that while completely embarrassed. Midst this, that bastard was smirking as if he was successful in drawing me out as he saw me struggling to climb this wall.

Much to my dissatisfaction, the girl turned to Hyunda and said something infuriating.

"Another time?"

"Su---"

I interrupted him in a flash.

"No, not another time! Get out now, you whore! I will eat you!"

As I began to further climb, the girl began to grow afraid of the possibility of me jumping on her and thus fleed from the scene as fast as she could. Hyunda watched her all the way and placed his right hand fingers on his chin while analyzing something from his view.

"Wow, you are an actual pervert."

With a disgusting look, I cursed him while he attempted to justify himself despite committing several immoral actions thus far...

"It was highly consensual! You can't fault me for that."

I didn't say a word and kept on cursing him in my mind. Noticeably, amidst this, I was deep down struggling to be hung on the wall, so he was able to notice that...

"Jump over, I'll carry you princess style all the way."

"Die."

I fell down on my own and after receiving the shock from falling from that height, I was hurt a little bit.

Still mad, I began to walk out of the toilet as fast as I could, but the moment I did that, he was blocking my way.

"Can I make a period joke about your mood or?"

"Pleeeeaaaase don't..."

"Alright, alright."

"Um, Hyunda?"

"Yeah, Sana?"

"I have many questions, but... You know... This is the girls' bathroom..."

He looked at me as if I was talking about something completely normal.

While I, on the other hand, attempted to imply my point highly.

"So?"

"So, you can't just walk in..."

"But you didn't leave me any choice."

"I turned my phone off because I don't want to talk to you, Hyunda."

"Why not, Sana?"

"I am not feeling like it."

............What exactly am I saying...?

And why are we having an argument in the middle of the girls' bathroom?!

Guh, this whole situation is just so....

"Mhm, yeah, alright. Well, I'll see you in about two weeks or so. Have fun!"

Turning his back on me, he began to walk out of the bathroom.

I replied back respectively.

"Good luck, loser."

"Don't need luck."

And so, he walked out of the bathroom after saying that.

"................."

...Wait..........

....He does realize I was just jokingly saying all that, right....?

He's probably anticipating my move and he's waiting at the left side of the exterior of the bathroom, I am sure.

I am so sure that I am grinning so stupidly and feeling confident for once.

That's why, I strode towards the outside of the bathroom and saw....

".............Oh no."

I looked to my left and then my right.

"!"

Then to my left and saw Hyunda already on the end of the linear path.

That idiot was seriously thinking of leaving after putting me through all that! And, what the hell, he's fast!

"Wait a damn second! Hyundaaaa!"

Recklessly spriting in his direction, I had to run all the way forward but he wasn't slowing down at all. Only after a whole minute, did I catch up.

The reason as to why he wasn't listening to me was because he was listening to music through his earplugs.

Seeing my tired composure and crooked spine, he finally noticed me.

"Sana? What's wrong? You look dead tired for some reason."

"Gaaahh.... Gaaahhh....... Don't just leave like that... I thought you wanted to talk with me..."

"I did, but you said you weren't feeling like it so I respected your decision."

...So he was actually respecting the way I supposedly said I felt towards that whole circumstance? Yeah, it was a joke, but he actually...

"Um.... What... are you doing here...? Hyunda?"

"Are you sure you want to talk here? How about the usual cafeteria for a change? Plus, the guard will be on my ass soon, so..."

"Yeah, let's just go there."

5 minutes later.

Luckily, the cafeteria was empty for some reason. Actually, the whole school in some parts started to empty out.

We took the furthest table and we didn't order anything. I surprisingly didn't felt like eating, I just wanted to talk to him.

Also, for some damn reason, he's not facing in my direction and is instead on my right side of the table.

"........."

I faced him in the other direction instead by going around.

This caused him to question my sudden movement.

"Why?"

But I wasn't going to answer that and got the core matter.

Brushing off my transient embarrassment, I coughed once.

"Erm, erm! Before anything, will you answer truthfully what I ask you or will you just brush it off with another dilemma?"

"It's my policy to make several dilemmas with my words, but I don't mind making an exception for you."

"..........."

Why...

"Your blushing face is really cut-"

"Shut uuuuppppp!"

If only I knew he was coming today, I would've prepared myself at least. I am not at fault here!

Anyways...

"Ok, why are you here?"

"I came here to strike a deal with Phoenix and it worked. I am also here for you and something else. It's confidential."

For me... So he was actually serious when he said all those words...

"Hello? Sana? Earth to Sana?"

Apparently I was out of reality for a second. I hate when that happens. It's just... being here alone with him in this cafeteria without anyone at sight is highly... embarrassing...

"Sorry... So you can't even tell me something confidential?"

"Well, we can work that out if you are so curious."

"What are you thinking in that wicked mind of yours, Hyunda?"

Honest to a fault, his eyes descended straight from my face to my......!!!

"I don't even know why I tried that....!"

I turned around for a while defensively.

"What's wrong? You were the one who asked me that question, Sana. Plus, you were the one who demanded me to answer it truthfully."

"Okay, that's on me..."

I turned around and faced him yet again, nervously.

My face was slightly red but at this point, there wasn't anything I could do to erase that, so I continued.

"How were you able to get here in the first place? Weren't you on a deserted island?"

"I am very financially wealthy to the point where I can afford my own private helicopter and so, I made a quick stop here."

"Hahaha, very funny, Hyunda. Seriously, how?"

Despite the fact that I didn't believe that at first, the more silence he formed afterwards, the more I started to believe it.

"Alright, moving forward then..."

I am supposed to believe that he actually is borderline rich and could afford a private helicopter. Why even take the exam at all then? What sense does that make?

But, I don't think he's lying. I feel like he's really not lying to me.

He's... not showing sympathy to me out of pity as anyone else would, he's genuinely... caring for me.

"What on Earth are you thinking?"

"Is that your question, Sana? Or a reference to something else?"

Mild angry, I got to the point.

"I am saying, what went through your mind to make that stupid deal with Percy?! Do you even know what will happen should you fail?"

I wasn't aware of how Hyunda knew all this, but, now that I thought about it, would he have made his move if he didn't know about what Lus was doing?

His answer clearly answered something.

"I understand. I basically get us all screwed, end of the story."

"That's... not funny."

"But I am not going to fail, so that's irrelevant to the matter."

There it is. His classic signature. His overpowering confidence that no one really knows where it originated from. If someone so confident tells you to be confident on something you are not confident on, you will never be able to not feel confident.

"Hyunda... How did you know all this? I mean, what was going on between Percy and Lus?"

"Are you sure you wanna know? If you are sensitive to immorality, this might be best to avoid, but if you really want to, I will give you the truth."

At this point, I am aware that whatever comes out of him is immoral. That's why it's so surprising and confusing once he begins to show affection for me.

"....Yeah...."

Before answering, he rolled his neck to the left and then the right while ultimately looking fiercely into my eyes.

"Have you noticed an earring on Arkalee's ear that looks like a silver diamond?"

"What about it?"

"I once gave it to her and she really liked it. Apparently it was because my hair is silver so the color really excited her."

"....What does that have to do with it?"

I'm confused as to how that earring has anything to do with his knowledge about this.

But his fearless devilish grin told me a different story.

"Now, it's not just any earring. It's actually a wired device with an unparalleled listening operational earplug."

"...............?"

"The pair of earrings came with such an earplug that once I put it in my ear, I will be able to listen to what the wired device's sound is transmitting. Here, why don't you give it a try?"

From his left pocket, he scourged a small earplug that more or less looked like an airpod and gave it to me.

I then put it in my right ear carefully and started to listen to a voice.

Arkalee's.

"Why are they all going away?! Weren't they supposed to torment Ikkiri?!"

And then Shizuku's.

"Percy suddenly summoned all of the classes onto the gymansium podium, so..."

Subsequently after, I even heard Yukishiro's voice in the background which shocked me.

"This is all too... weirdly timed..."

In shock, I removed the earplug from my ear and demanded to know what was actually happening.

"That wasn't recorded, that's happening right now!"

"Yeah. It captures any sound within 50 meter radius. It's pretty messy at times, honestly, but it does the job well."

I then finally understood what was going on...

My face stiffened up as a consequence.

"You've been.... spying on all of us through a wired device which is Arkalee's earring...?!"

"Simple, right? Surely you must've wondered how I knew way more than anyone did all the time, right?"

"Hyunda.... You don't do this...! This is your girlfriend! Not just some tool for you to use your device on!"

I wasn't as open as I thought I would be. I knew it would be immoral, but he has been practically listening to all of our conversations! He knows everything! If word got out of this, everyone would have a meltdown.

Yet... He looks at me as if putting supreme trust in me. As a matter of fact, what he said afterwards, quite literally implied that.

"You're right. Wanna take a hold of it then?"

"............Uh..."

At first, I wanted to flat-out deny it, but then I entered into deep thought about this as I looked down on the floor.

If Hyunda continues to have that in his possession, then he will be able to hear any conversation Arkalee has or with anyone around him. Furthermore, he will be on the deserted island so although he will know what's happening, he won't be able to do anything about it...

"...Give it to me, please... And no! I am not doing this for the same reasons as you! This is wrong! I am keeping this in my possession so you can learn how to be less evil!"

But, even though I am saying this, I am well aware that he's not going to give it to me. After all, he most likely has other reasons and as suc---

"Take good care of it and don't let others know."

On the surface of my right palm, there was the white-colored earplug.

"It's on an infinite battery, so don't worry about charging it."

Silently, without knowing what to say, I slowly retracted it into my right pocket.

Then, meekly, I spoke to him again.

"....Are you doing something else similar to this...?"

"What if I am?"

I gulped a bit.

"Hyunda... What have these people done to you in order for you to inflict evil upon them?"

"Nothing."

"Then, you can't be evil like that. It's only fair when others are evil to you."

"That would leave me very vulnerable. Anyways... Can I start my own questions or do you still have any?"

There are probably more questions for me to ask, but I felt light-hearted when he took an interest on me like that.

It's frankly weird how he isn't even here to see Arkalee, his girlfriend, but is spending time with me. He said that he was here to strike a deal with Percy, to do something confidential and to spend time with me.

"Yeah..."

"Good. So, how badly did you miss me?"

I stomped his right foot three times consecutively.

"Ouch... Sana, please answer truthfully... No need to be shy---Ouch..."

"That's for spying on my lines through Arkalee!"

It made me truly embarrassed to realize all the lines that I have said while I was near Arkalee, because I don't know when this all started, but if he was already in possession of that then he----

"You should share your thoughts with me and then we could make some romantic progress instead of you denying your feelings for me on the inside."

"Shut uppppp! More questions for me!"

Though the answer is simple, there is just one problem. He is evil and his interest on me can't be something good.

I am too afraid that if I were to seriously commit my feelings for him that I would be doomed like Arkalee was.

If that were to ever happen, I would never recover from it. Even though what he does is outstanding and practically no other guy in this school would go this far, I still can't risk it...

"How have you been feeling lately?"

Given that he answered truthfully, I will answer too... Despite not being able to answer it with a decent looking face.

"Somewhere between empty and broken, I think... I've been sleeping way too long each night... Sorry, I don't really know how to put it down... Her death is something I will never get over..."

"...I see..."

"...Ahh... Please don't pity me though. If I'm honest, it would hurt a whole lot more if I were to receive pity from you than the rest."

"I don't pity others, don't worry. You could have called me though. Wasn't that why I gave you my number in the first place? If you're hurt, then talk to me. Better than taking everything by yourself, don't you think?"

To that, I smiled genuinely. Not a flustered reaction, but a happy one. In two weeks or so, I've been feeling empty on the inside, but now I feel like I am fueling with emotion.

"Thank you, Hyunda. I wish I had met you in another world where you aren't an evil person."

"Really? Wanna get hit by a truck together and start our journey as light novel characters?"

"Hahaha! Really?"

"Really."

We both smiled at each other and for the first time I saw a happy smile on him.

It was as if he was having a time outside of the evil twisted mind that he dwells in every day.

"Hey, Sana? You should go to the gymnasium. I'm fairly certain that Phoenix is using the very fact that this is lunchtime to gather the attention of everyone as quickly as possible."

".........Hyunda....?"

"What?"

I wasn't sure if he was going to answer this truthfully or not, but I felt my heart stroke a little bit in panic once I did.

"Why do you... need so many people on that island...?"

"............"

He got up and decided to ignore my question.

To compensate for that, he proposed something, however.

"Wanna go watch a movie? I'll pay both tickets."

"But didn't you say that I should go to the gymnasium?"

"I did, but when I think about that guy Phoenix giving a speech, I realized that I was being very evil to you by making you go through that."

I giggled a bit, to no surprise and chuckled slightly.

Then, in the heat of the moment, across the table, as I got up from my seat, I extended my right hand to him, indicating that he could have it.

He silently took it and warmed it up around my fingers.

Side by side, we then walked out of the cafeteria with our hands intertwined. Midway, I titled my head a little bit to his left shoulder while not saying anything.

I realized something while making our way to the cinema. Once he is gone again, I will probably feel empty again, but... I don't want that...

I want to be able to feel. I hate not feeling.

And if getting attached is the price to it, then I will have to trend carefully, but I won't waste this opportunity.

"You're smiling a lot today, Sana."

"Yup, I am. By the way, what's with the amount of piercings you have on your ears?"

I've only now really started to pay attention to his body elements but while looking at his ears, I could find a plethora of piercing and mainly his taoism earrings.

"I thought teenagers these days were all about piercings and earrings. But, to be fair, here in Japan it's not that common. I was fairly into an European trend at a time that basically revolved around wearing spiky hair and piercings."

Well, that explains his hair at least. His frontal hair seems like a crown now that I look at it. Meanwhile, the back of it is spiky crescent.

Out of curiosity, I touched the end of the hair strokes and felt the rigid density of it.

"It's surprisingly tough! How much gel do you use?"

"I don't need to use it anymore. At some point it just began to incorporate with my hair as a whole."

"Whaaaat?! How is that possible...?"

"Don't ask me. Oh, hey, you'd look good with a nose piercing."

An nose piercing... Just thinking of the process of putting one puts me on the edge. I bet it's painful as hell.

So instead, I replied with something else.

"For you to put a tracking device on it? No thanks!"

"There's no way I would do that. Also, what movie are we watching, really?"

At last we were in front of the theaters. Outside of it, just like the last time, we were gazing through the movies that were in the selection.

Seeing that "Joker" was not on the roll anymore made me sad deep down.

"They seriously removed Joker? What a crime."

Not me, but Hyunda said that, which made me agree and smile a lot because that was exactly what I was thinking!

"I know right?! That movie was a masterpiece! But, um... What are we watching...? I don't know any of these movies..."

"Wanna watch a romance movie?"

"Well... Yeah?"

Surprised, Hyunda broke out of his own apathetic form and praised my sudden honesty.

"You are not joking around. You're going to make my audience think that a girl like you actually exists in their actuality."

"Huuuh? Audience? Haha, what?"

I seriously didn't understand what he meant by that, but I like to be honest with my feelings as long as he respects mine and vice-versa.

In addition to that, I like how empty the school is because while I'm intersecting with his fingers and am close to him.

"Well.... Weathering with you or Your name?"

"They sound the same, really. Though... I think I'll go with Weathering with you. Is that fine, Hyunda?"

"Yeah. Shall we then?"

"Yes!"

After we paid our tickets ( I insisted on paying mine) we arrived at the theater room and to no surprise, there wasn't anyone left in it, so it was up to us to seat anywhere we liked.

Hyunda launched an offer right away.

"Wanna watch it extremely close to the screen?"

"Won't we be blinded? Let's go to the very top!"

"Alright."

Still holding our hands together, we went to the middle of the last line on the top and the light on the room darkened as the movie started.

Although we are watching the movie, it was more like an excuse for us to talk about stuff we wanted to talk about.

"Does this count as a date, Sana?"

"Nana. I won't allow cheating. You're Arkalee's boyfriend so I can't help you cheat."

Though I say that, I am holding his hand without showing any signs of stop doing so. Plus, I am lying with my head on his right shoulder at the moment.

But I am not cheating although I am incentivating him to do so.

Because, if he prefers me over Arkalee, why should I have to care about how she feels? If no one cares about how I feel then what's wrong with caring about someone who cares about how I feel?

"What defines cheating to you, Sana?"

"In this case... if you do ulterior movements on me while still being Arkalee's boyfriend, then that is cheating."

"I see... Well, you know... Does it still count if I will technically only be back once the exam is over and Arkalee doesn't know I'm here?"

I laughed a bit in spite of the irony.

"You're awful, Hyunda. I bet I would get cheated on if we were in a relationship. I would give it maximum two weeks before you set your eyes on some other girl. Seriously."

I don't mind having feelings for him, but the problem is a "relationship", that's why I'm fine with this.

I can't feel guilty if someone who doesn't care about my own sentiments gets offended in the process.

Furthermore, she doesn't know and we don't even talk anymore.

"You only say that because of how I treat Arkalee."

"Oh? Are you implying you would treat me differently, Mister?"

"Can I explain myself and have a chance to defend myself?"

"Sure. But that's still not going to erase the fact that I think you'd cheat on me."

Our eyes were more fixated on one another through the dark than the actual movie.

The atmosphere itself was nice however.

I was rather curious to know his own appeal and I thought it would be lengthy but not quite at all.

"I never have nor will ever love her."

"......."

For a second, I stopped making eye contact and focused on the movie's visuals.

Naturally, I was actually thinking about what he had just said.

"Then why don't you just break up with her, Hyunda?"

His eyes were now on the movie too. He still replied nonetheless.

"She's more useful the more emotional she is."

"You know, I hate to break it to you, but I am a bit like that too."

"Not true. You don't let your emotions blind your rationality, unlike her. Well... For the most part..."

"Hey!"

I kicked his left leg very softly.

"I understand. You need someone to help you with your evil agenda. But still, you'd go to the point of getting into a relationship for that? Hyunda, that's wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to begin... This is why women need to stay away from you."

"But you're this close, are you certain?"

"I am special, in this case. I know your core but still interact with you like a normal person. And as a female, it is my duty to keep you away from other females, because you are bound to treat them as tools for your own gain. I am too smart to truly be treated like you would treat them, because the moment you would try to use me as a tool, I would know it. I am hyper aware of your intentions towards me, Hyunda."

"You understand me so well, Sana. Aren't you perfect for me if you are aware of all that?"

"..............."

I gave that some serious thought and seconds later, I replied genuinely.

"I probably am, now that I think about it. But you'd still use me as a tool, Hyunda. I wouldn't be able to stand having feelings for you while you'd fake having feelings for me just so you can have the benefits of my help. You never had this sort of talk with Arkalee, did you?"

"Not even once and I never will."

"So you don't intend on breaking up with her?"

"If I break up with her and she catches us talking, you'll die, Sana."

"I will, won't I?"

"I have a plan to deal with her, don't worry."

Upon hearing that, I got increasingly more curious and begged to know.

"I am curious now... You don't intend on breaking up with her but you still want to pull up moves on me? What's the plan exactly?"

"I kill her."

"Forget it."

This is rough. I am unsure whether or not he genuinely cares for me or not. He could've just done this on purpose and then claim to want to talk with me despite only truly being here to make a deal with Percy.

If he wasn't this type of person, I wouldn't doubt him, but the fact that he is and still makes me want to commit makes me want to doubt my rationality.

There has to be a solution here, but I am not seeing it.

"You're a genius, Hyunda, right?"

"Not really. I consider myself inferior to others constantly; that's why I am always ahead because I am scared of what others might do before I do something else."

".........Are you serious?"

"No, I'm the fucking best."

"Dummy..."

I was genuinely serious right about now, but I'll still ask him.

"Are you... in love with me...?"

Our eyes then crossed glances.

"If a person filled with nothing but objectivism has a spark of subjectivism and if that subjectivism is captivated onto one person only, then, if you were that person, would it be correct if I were to say yes?"

"There's a lot to subjectivism, Hyunda. But if amidst that subjectivism lies your idea of love and I am the subject of it, then... I would say you are correct."

"Sana..."

"Hyunda..."

Our eye contact became even more closer as our faces also lost distance.

I was under the impression that it would be fairly hard to achieve this, but the sequence was so simple. With just a motion of adjoining our lips, we performed a kiss.

Then, slowly we retracted our lips from one another.

"Sana, this might be selfish but I do like being a subjective person whenever I am not in my usual agenda. It's easier if I can just be subjective towards one person only. I'll still be using Arkalee."

"Yeah, I know. I... know..."

"Sorry. Can I say a cliched phrase like "You deserve someone better" or something like that?"

"God no, don't do that. That's not like you."

In the end, even though we shared a kiss, we still have a lot to go through. Essentially, I am his target of subjectivity meanwhile Arkalee is just a tool for his own objectivity.

There is one massive issue though. And in order to get a proper understanding, I placed my other unoccupied hand on his heart.

I felt his heart beat....

"I could've sworn it didn't beat."

"It does for you."

".............."

He caught me off guard, so it doesn't count...

"You have to show more reaction and feel the emotion! Otherwise I will never feel like I am making you feel loved. And... That's kinda why we would never really work out in a relationship Hyunda, you know? I think I subconsciously demand some sort of emotional response when it comes to stuff like this."

"I see. Apathetic bastards like me are your kryptonite. That can change though."

"Eh...?"

At first I didn't understand what he was implying, but after he lightly tapped his right tight and removed his hand from mine, I got it.

"Sit here in the middle with me. Let me feel your sadness."

"......."

I was hesitant at first and the thought of me breaking down here is embarrassing...

Eventually, I mustered the courage and took a seat in-between in legs as his arms enrolled my posture completely. I could feel his spiky hair on my face while he was whispering something to my left ear.

"Sana.... Don't apply for whatever Percy is going to do. Stay out of it."

"........But why...? Is it related to the 500 people you mentioned?"

He began to tightly hug me and tremble at the same time. For the very first time, I actually witnessed emotion out of him and caught the glimpse of his white eyes as he looked to the screen fearlessly whilst speaking about what he intended to do.

"Those chosen 500 people will be eradicted! You can't be among them. You musn't... I can easily handle life without the life of others around me but if you were gone then... I'll actually miss you."

"........Hyunda..."

Deep down, I wanted to tell him how what he was doing was wrong. Deep down, I already wanted to transform him into a better person, but he isn't a better person by his own accord. He knows that what he does is wrong. He's not lacking self-awareness.

That's why I'm crying right now. Because there's nothing I can say that will change the person I love who is committed into doing what is evil.

"I love you... And I'm sorry for being so scared of what might happen if we were to ever be together, but I am so weak that if I get too attached then I can easily break any second without you and I don't think you deserve that side of me and so----I want to keep meeting you like this but only when you have the chance. I'll be your partner in crime, because only I can understand your core, idiot. So don't hesitate to rely on me. Just don't ever view me as a tool..."

My crying was a silent one and I accepted his long embracing hug while awaiting for his answer.

"You're amazing."

I was already committed enough int acting according to my feelings, but hearing those words from him really made me happy.

After that, we continued to watch the movie from the same position, as he would continue to hug me from behind with our faces connected.

Every time that I would look into his eyes I could his heavy eyebags which reminded me of mine.

"Have you been sleeping enough, Hyunda?"

"I follow the Uberman sleeping cycle. Do you know about it?"

"I don't. Could you explain it to me?"

"Sure. Every four hours, I take a 20 minute nap which ultimately means that the Uberman sleeping cycle consists of sleeping 3 hours in total per day."

I bit his left cheek with my teeth.

"You shouldn't do that... You'll never be able to see the good side of sleeping like that. Do you ever intend on changing this factor?"

"I probably don't."

Instead of demanding him to do something he doesn't like, I'll ask if he intends on changing it.

"Hey, Sana?"

Once again, our eyes met, very closely and he asked me something weird.

"Are you feeling isolated without me around?"

"....I am... But, there's no other choice, is there? You'll be busy and even when you return, I'll continue to feel isolated. But, if we can continue to meet like this every now and then, then I'll be fine."

"...If you could have your memory erased and could forget Yuli--- Ouuuuuuchhhh."

Before he could finish that sentence, I took a bite out of his nose with perhaps a bit more force than the previous bite.

"If you showed me that a earring can have a wired tracking device on it, then if you just suggest something like memory erasure, I am not doubting you. In no circumstance would I want that."

"I see...."

".....Are you feeling guilty? I thought you were not capable of guilt."

Our eyes then moved away from each other once again and focused on the movie.

"I just lack remorse. That's a bit different."

"Aw. Hyunda, does it ever cross your mind that I could spite you for all eternity with what you have just implied?"

"So you got it. Sorry you had to find out this way."

I began to cry again and since our faces were glued to each other, Hyunda felt the river of my tears in his face too.

The crying was accompanied by a variety of anxiety attacks as my voice became even frailer as time would go on.

Unsure of what to do will all this weakness, I could only ask.

".....W-Why....? Was....... it something she---"

He showed a bit of hesitation which was his consideration for my current feelings.

"...She had nothing to do with it... As a matter of fact, she had little to do with it, if anything. As to why...... Am I allowed to not answer this?"

".........What're you gonna do once he finds out you were the one who did it....?"

My teary eyes were blurry yet I could trace some sort of unwanted will in Hyunda's eyes, but when he said those upcoming words, his eyes shone a radiance of accomplishment like no other.

"When that time comes, everything will be in place. This is just the work of a person who does everything for the leader and nothing else."

"...Will I one day know what that means....?"

"For sure, Sana."

After delivering that line, with his right hand, he whipped my tears softly and then took ahold of my right hand and intertwined his fingers with mine.

"Take care of him, please... He doesn't deserve this... At least... That's the minimum you could do... Hyunda..."

"...Hahahahah..... Hahaha... Hahah...!"

He began to grin and grin for as long as he could until it faded away into a complete silence. I didn't interrupt him as it would be disrespectful.

Finalizing that silence, he spoke again to me.

"He is the star of the show. I will never be what he is. But the star doesn't always shine without the proper illumination, does it now? That's why he'll have to become more illuminated and then, he will finally be recognized for what he truly is."

"...................."

"Sana, I will rely on you now."

"Mhm. Ask away, love."

"You have Lus' vote sheet, don't you? Let me write the ones who will be expelled."

Somewhere along the way, I knew this was coming, but I appreciate the fact that he didn't go an extra mile just for me to do this.

As I gave him the vote sheet alongside a pen for him to write the names of the ones he would vote against, I pleaded to him.

"Can't you save everyone?"

"If I do that, he will get used to the lack of difficulty in a task."

".....You care about him a lot, like some big brother... Why?"

"I'm just a tiny fire, but he's the whole sun, illuminating everyone through his vision."

I smiled to Hyunda.

It saddens me that I don't understand what he's insinuating, but it's evidently clear that he holds affirmative intentions towards him.

"Are these 500 people, in essence, just like her?"

"You saw right through me. But yes."

"Hyunda.... Why such a number......."

"Sana. We are going around circles in this conversation, in case you haven't noticed."

"Sorry... I can't seem to convince you to change your mind."

"Don't mind it. On the other hand, do you want to kiss again?"

Without answering to his question, I let go of his right hand intertwined with mine and slowly turned around.

This time, more aggressively and more deep, I kissed him and he was surprised so much that he fully went all the way back to his seat.

"Aaahhh... You didn't really think about that did y---"

It didn't take him long at all for him to grab the back of my head softly whilst pushing me forward yet not allowing me to fall with an even deeper kiss which brought shock to my system.

His kiss alongside that entire movement felt electric; purely static.

"Ahhh..... It does feel better when I actually love the person."

"Aaahhh... Aaahhh... You..."

What we are doing is practically forbidden elsewhere, but since the entire school is fixated onto the gymnasium, we could do whatever we want.

Even...

"Hey, Sana?"

".....Yeah...?"

".............." x2.

Our glances were glued to one another as we absorbed each other's breaths.

"If we go any further, you'll get attached to a point of no return."

"................Yeah... Sorry..."

I dismantled my position and sat back in-between his legs while he wrapped his arms around me once again. Likewise, our two hands intertwined once again.

"Can you stay here for another day, Hyunda?"

"I can't. Percy will make his move approximately in a few hours. He's massively impatient and since I am the party planner, I need to make sure everything goes accordingly."

"...Ah, that makes sense..."

My lost hope aside, he finally started to write down who he thought would be expelled from the program on the vote sheet.

"Sana, can I trust you to make Lus accept these results no matter how uneven the odds seem of succeeding in that?"

"You can count on me. I will just tell her you've been here---not. I'll make something work!"

"Thank you."

We then watched the movie until the credits began to roll.

Truth to be told, we didn't pay much attention to the movie, as I already had said, this would be more of an opportunity to catch up than anything.

Before the darkness of the theater could be illuminated by the light, Hyunda asked me yet another favor.

"Sana----there's something else I would like your cooperation in. It doesn't involve me and you are free to decline this; I will hold nothing against you."

"...What is it...?"

Unlike his usual movements, he took a deep breath represented by... anxiety.

"Could you befriend Ikkiri?"

"..........Why...?"

"She's unfamiliar with self-love. The girl doesn't know how to love herself so she's familiar with the concept of self-hating and does it by compulsion. No one notices this and that's why she accepts bullying far more than she should."

"................"

"She's being targetted unfairly and I'm not asking you to stop what's happening to her. As a matter of fact, it won't matter because this is all temporary, but----I... can't be someone who will ever be there for her anymore. Not as a friend---not as a person---nothing. So, for me, could you befriend her?"

"...And if I said no?"

"That's fair. I denied you a lot of things today."

As the lights emerged, I spoke my answer to Hyunda as truthfully as I could.

"Sorry. I am jealous of her. You love her, don't you?"

"Not from my perspective..."

"...What about from the traditional perspective of love?"

"I suppose you could argue that I do, then."

I lightly laughed out loud but not in a spiteful manner. Still, my answer was not changing.

"How did she do it?"

"I had nothing. It was that simple."

"So, that could've been me, Hyunda?"

"It was a matter of chance, but---from my perspective, I love you, I think."

"............."

The person I am in love with loves someone from the traditional perspective of love yet according to his own perspective of love, he loves me.

"This is complicated, Hyunda. Can we end our date here?"

"Are you offended?"

"Not quite.... It's just.... I don't know a solution to this current circumstance. But---I will think of one. Oh, also, we are going to these theaters once a month."

In agreement, he further stretched our agenda.

"We should do it once everyone is occupied with something in common. Beyond that, we shouldn't talk to each other."

"That's probably for the better. Sigh... Just when I become honest with my feelings... Well, I guess this is the realistic outcome? Is texting allowed or no?"

"Arkalee will know, so we are better off not doing that."

"Got it, Hyunda. Hey, I'm a pretty good play date, right?"

"I can't deny it."

"Well, you were supposed to. Now I'm hurt."

Both of our voices were incredibly low but we weren't being mean to each other.

With the credits rolling, I figured that if I stood in this place with him any longer, then I would probably do something beyond clingy and in order to avoid that, I will have to resist and fight it out.

Slowly, I erupted my posture and sat on my original seat on Hyunda's right side.

"I am going to spend all afternoon crying."

"I figured so."

"I will probably feel quite empty in the upcoming week, but I'll have something to constantly think about."

"If I were to say you don't have to try to find a solution to this dilemma, then would you hate me for it?"

"Yes~~ I would very much hate you. Oh, also, if you screw up I will cut your balls off. It's pretty obvious we are all riding on you."

"I am greatly inspired to perform to my utmost limit now. Thank you, beautiful."

As I felt my tears begging to form, I got up and faced the other way thus silently crying without making any noises whatsoever.

I started to walk slowly to the entrance but Hyunda said something before that could ever happen.

"I know you're going to say no, but I'll say it anyways. Can I watch you fall asleep like last time?"

Awkwardly, I laughed out loud a bit uncontrollably.

"Hahahah!! Hahah... No, no. I... No... I am not helpless, you know? I am already thankful for being part of your subjectivism. I'll study both those concepts, including objectivism to see if I can breach a solution faster."

"Even though someone with the capacity of your feelings is better suited for someone else?"

"Hyunda----there's only so much even you can understand and sentiments to you might seem like a way to manipulate others, but when it comes to me, even you have difficulties. That already means a lot to me because you took my feelings seriously today. If I were to ask for anything more out of you know without that solution I'm speaking of, everything would be ruined. That's why it's fine!"

Though I was already walking away from him, I didn't want him to chase after me. I wanted him to remain where he was so I could go back to my dorm and enter my phase of depression in my room all alone.

Then, once I recovered a bit, I would think and think and think and think how to make our relationship possible.

That's why I didn't want to have to deal with a tight hug like this from behind. A hug that could capture every ounce of my emotions and feel my tremebling body as my fragile mental state wants me to get attached as soon as possible.

"Don't get attached--- resist--- but if you ever feel like it's not worth it, then---"

"Shut uupppppp! Hahaha---you're supposed to motivate me, not destroy my confidence! Dummyyyy! Let go of me already! Hahah!"

I began to painfully laugh whilst my trembling body could barely find the strength to go on, even after Hyunda slowly released his arms from me.

In my bag, there was the vote sheet with Hyunda's votes in there.

As for me, I was grateful for not feeling empty anymore.

An encounter by chance. Yet I like to think that even if I wasn't tasked with handling this sheet back to its owner that somewhere along the way, Hyunda and I would still have met without anyone else knowing.

All in all, I like our chemistry like this.

Without having to rely on the support of others we can meet each other on occasions of pure secrecy.

Deep down, however, I know that this secrecy is the opposite of what I seek.

There has to be a solution to this dilemma and I will not rest until I find it.

That is how much I love the person known as Hajime Hyunda.