It was dark and cold. That's how I knew it was a nightmare. Only in this place of torment, would I ever feel so scared.

I tried calling out with my own voice, but I was met with silence. I held no power here. Only that had all of the control.

""

Please. Someone get rid of the smoke. I can feel it in my throat. It's inside of me. Burning me with its nasty blight.

""

I could feel the smoke seeping its way inside the pores of my skin. It was trying to completely dominate me. Down to my very core.

""

If it's possible, I felt like my vision was being tainted by its essence. My sight was obscured. The one thing that could always see the truth was being taken away from me.

I'm not my own person. Not with that smoke here. .

Trying to escape the torment, I lunged forward. The barrier keeping me here was thick. It felt like black plastic. I couldn't pierce it; the barrier was perceptual. It pulled me back in.

No matter how much I clawed at it, I was no match. The futility of it made me hysterical. I started clawing at myself. I wanted to scratch my arms. I need to get his infection out of me.

As I tried to scratch, my arms were pulled away. Looking up in despair, I saw Haruto.

"What are you doing?" He asked desperately.

Looking around my surroundings, I realized I was no longer stuck in that nightmare. Instead, there I sat on Haruto's lap on the roof. Both my hands were being held up by him. There were scratches, but luckily, they weren't deep enough to draw blood.

"Why are you on the roof?" Haruto asked.

I wasn't quite sure of the answer myself. Why was I up here? Sleepwalking perhaps? But if that were the case, why here of all places? Everyone knows I fear heights.

"I... I took a nap... and I... I can't remember the rest." I answered confusedly.

For whatever reason, Haruto didn't press me any further. Even if he trusts me enough to tell the truth, he should still question the validity of the situation. Rather, he simply took off his leather jacket and draped it around my shaky shoulders. Sitting down beside me, he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and huddled closer towards me. I didn't have to ask why he would do such a thing; I knew in the back of my mind that he was shouldering me from the height. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

"You haven't been yourself for a while."

So, he's noticed. I guess it wouldn't take a genius to tell the difference between myself and the previous host.

"In what way?" I asked. As far as I can tell, I've acted as closely as I could to the other Aiko. Surely there are no drastic differences between us?

"How should I put this? As of lately, you're more of your own person."

More of myself? Huh... I can't say I was expecting that.

"Up until argument with your father, you were always compliant. You never seemed like you were fully there. You always acted according to the expectations of others."

So, Aiko was never her own person, to begin with? That's kind of sad to hear. I guess that's why I've noticed inconsistent behavioural patterns in her memories. I was always puzzled by how someone so delicate could also be wild and playful around Kaoru. I assume now that the reason for doing so was so she could match that lively and overly emotional personality of his.

I don't know how Aiko did all that. I can't imagine living my life to only please others.

"And now you've been having these nightmares..."

I suppose now is as good as ever to open up about .

"I've started having these nightmares ever since I cut myself on that statue. But I'm not sure why it triggered these nightmares."

"Maybe you got cursed."

Was Haruto being comical? By the light of day, I never expected to see him try to crack a joke!

Lightly smacking Haruto on the arm, I jokingly ask "Is someone making fun of me?"

Haruto rolls his eyes and shakes his head satirically. I swear that I'm going to make him smile genuinely one day! If I'm lucky, maybe even laugh.

"If it's any consolation, I used to struggle with nightmares too."

I never knew that. I guess he did tend to keep everything bottled up, fearing it might make him appear inferior and incapable of his duty to me. Not much has changed since then. He rarely confines in me, about his own problems. But he does somewhat show emotion nowadays.

Not in the traditional sense of crying and laughing. But in his eyes. Those dark puddles convey endless emotions. I believe that underneath the surface, there's a fragile boy who wants nothing more than companionship.

I try my best to brighten his days in any way I can. But our friendship can never amount to the familial love he's always lacked. I'd climb a million mountains just to give him the love he's always craved.

"I hope you don't think any less of yourself because of those nightmares," I add. "You're the strongest person I know. Something silly like nightmares is merely an obstacle in your path to greatness!" I proudly declared.

Haruto raised an eyebrow at me questioningly. I guess I came across as too strong, huh. Well, that's just how I am. I overcompensate my pessimism with conceited encouragement. What can I say, I just love playing the role of a mediator.

Nonchalantly, Haruto shook his head in contentment. "You are a special one."

There wasn't much time left for us to loiter about on the rooftop. It was almost dinnertime. I was dreading this particular occasion. We would be joined by Kaoru. How I wish my Father wasn't enthusiastic about us spending time together.

The dining table for the most part was silent. Considering my Father would be joining us, I didn't expect anything less. Non-verbal communication was a given. Despite all that, physical communication was rather abundant.

I made several attempts to try to focus on the plate before me. Slicing the turkey and stuffing my mouth with creamy potatoes to keep myself occupied...

But I just couldn't taste the food. Rather, I was put-off of it by a certain someone. Thank you, Kaoru.

The feeling of him caressing my leg with his foot from across the table was unsettling. It felt almost taunting. It was as if he was trying to test my boundaries and provoke me. That was something typical of the old Kaoru, but the intent of this new Kaoru was far more provocative in my eyes.

Looking up from my food in vexation, I was irritated further by seeing his smug expression. He didn't have to do much for me to understand his body language. Those eyes told no lies. They were filled with dark passion. Something dangerous that made me feel scared of him. Then, of course, there were the lips. Curled just enough to showcase his hubristic attitude. He knew I wouldn't call him out on his behaviour.

I gripped my knife and fork harder in response. I was sure that the sheer amount of pressure I was applying to it, would make it bend! Luckily enough I was brought back to reality by an unexpected announcement.

"This Friday I've organized a ball to celebrate myself and Aiko's engagement."

Hah? Say what now?

My father briefly peered up at Kaoru. "Is that so?"

"Yes. The party is planned to begin at nine o'clock."

I looked to Haruto on my left. He was too busy guzzling down the meat to make eye contact with me. Great, now I can't come up with an excuse to get out of going to this ball!

"You can expect to see Aiko there bright and early. I have other business to attend to."

Seriously? He's really going to miss out on his own daughter's engagement party. How irresponsible.

Unlike myself, Kaoru was unfazed by my father's blunt dismissal of attending. In fact, I doubt he even cared what his father-in-law's thoughts were, to begin with. He was most likely more concerned about plotting something else. The next thing I know, he'll probably try to bump up the wedding to Sunday.

Politely wiping his hands down with his napkin, Kaoru stood promptly from his chair. "Thank you for the meal, Otousan. If it's alright with you, I'd like to have a word alone with Aiko."

Father merely twirled his fork in the air, as if to give him his approval. Following Kaoru, we made our way into the foyer. I wasn't sure why we needed to be alone. For whatever reason he had, I knew it would not be good regardless.

Reaching into his pocket, Kaoru smiled as he pulled out a diamond necklace. Oh no, he's going to start gifting me expensive presents now, isn't he?

"I'd like it if you could wear this to the ball."

From how he phrased it, I knew this was more of an order than a question. Even if I tried to refuse him, Kaoru would make sure I had no opportunity to do so. He even leaned in to put the necklace on me.

I felt myself shiver, as I felt his hot breath on my neck. It was just like a dragon's flames. I could've sworn he sniffed my hair too. Just as I was about to retaliate, I felt him nibble on my ear cheekily.

"Ah!" I blurted.

Kaoru pulled away from my ear and stuck out his tongue out at me childishly.

"See! Don't you think it suits you?"

Is he not going to acknowledge what he just did?

"I have to go now, but I look forward to seeing you at the ball." Kaoru leaned in once more to kiss me on the cheek before leaving.

This boy!

"Are you alright, Miss?" Haruto asked from behind.

"I think I need to wash my face." I bitterly remarked.