Brake pads scrape as the car stops abruptly.

  [Ay, look where you're going, man!]

  It's hot outside, with just a few people walking around the streets.

  All of them complain about the heat in one way or another.

  Some curse. Others whine. Some tug at their shirts, others fan themselves.

  He mutters under his breath.

  Sweat makes his skin glisten, droplets flying off his forearm with each swing. He pats his hands on his red shorts.

  With slow, controlled breaths, he runs across the street.

  Reaching some stairs, he sits down, resting while he drinks some water.

  [Ah... I'm exhausted.]

  After restin for a while, he stretches his legs, gaze rising towards the far end of the stairs.

  [Let's go.]

  He takes a deep breath.

  Sprinting through, he exhales sharply with each step.

  Reaching the top, he lies on the ground, taking a few moments to adjust his breathing.

  [Alright, let's go.]

  Standing again, he runs down the stairs before jogging at a faster pace.

  Turning sharply to the left, a building is seen ahead.

  A skyscraper, standing high above the others.

  Its black windows reflect the light from the rising Sun.

  Running towards the entrance, he stops, resting his hands on his knees.

  [Ah, I'm dying...]

  After a few stairs, he steps inside the building.

  The receptionist greets him politely. He waves back.

  [Good morning!]

  Stopping dead in his tracks, he can almost feel her stare fulminating him.

  [What have I said about going shirtless inside?]

  A nervous chuckle escaped him.

  [Alright, alright. Won't happen again.]

  [You said that already. Many times.]

  Sighing, the receptionist decides to continue working as she dials a number.

  Standing in front of the elevator, his hands slip to his pockets, searching for his card.

  After finding it, he taps it on the elevator's frame.

  3rd Rank Exterminator.

  Ayumu Alabaster.

  Stepping inside as the doors slide open, he presses the button to floor 55.

  With a ding, the doors open again, and he exits.

  Walking through, his eyes take in the corridor.

  Mahogany doors, beige carpet with gray patterns, and golden lamps fixed on the walls.

  He stops in front of a door.

  Room 19S.

  The card slides into the slot above the handle. Then, he pushes the door open.

  A short, narrow corridor leads to a large bedroom, with a king-sized bed in the middle, two carved nightstands and a painting above, hung on the wall.

  To the left, a large floor-to-ceiling window with views of the skyline and the bright Sun. To the right, the bathroom.

  He sits down on the bed, gazing at himself in the reflection of the mirror in front of him.

  The air smells like perfume mixed with a faint, indescribable scent.

  The Sun casts warmth on the room, coating his skin golden.

  The muffled sound of running water is the only thing heard.

  It stops.

  After a while, the door clicks and slides open.

  [Good morning, Ayumu.]

  He glances at the person, smiling softly.

  [Good morning, Anise.]

  Smiling back, she wraps a towel around her head before approaching him. She's wearing a simple white shirt with denim shorts.

  A yawn escapes her as she sits beside him.

  Ayumu: [Still sleepy?]

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  She nods.

  Anise: [Not like I slept much yesterday.]

  Ayumu taps his foot.

  [So... Have you decided yet?]

  A flicker of impatience courses through his face.

  [Not... Really. I mean, I want to, but I don't know what they'll think... About this.]

  [Maybe you could... You know. Take the leap of faith.]

  Anise's smile softens, her gaze contemplative.

  Anise: [Yeah, I guess. When should we go?]

  Ayumu: [This weekend? Or the one after.]

  Anise: [I... Don't know. I'll let you know when I can.]

  [Okay.]

  They stay silent for a while, stealing glances at each other. Ayumu shifts on bed, facing her.

  Ayumu: [Do you want to go somewhere?]

  Anise: [I was... waiting for you to say that. Where?]

  Ayumu: [Have you seen the funfair yet?]

  Anise's smile widens.

  Anise: [No... I haven't.]

  Ayumu: [Want to check it out?]

  With eyes shining bright, she gives him a peck on the cheek.

  Anise: [Of course I want to!]

  Ayumu: [Sure thing. 8:30 PM?]

  Anise: [Yeah, okay. Sure thing.]

  Ayumu chuckles at her.

  Ayumu: [Why are you confirming three times?]

  Anise: [Just happy.]

  Letting out a deep breath, she stands up, stretching.

  Anise: [Well, unlike you, I have work to do. See you at lunchtime?]

  Ayumu: [You know it.]

  Walking towards the door, she leaves the room. Ayumu closes his eyes.

  [One step at a time.]

  With a deep sigh, he retrieves his phone with trembling hands. After staring at his reflection for a while, he decides to head to the bathroom.

  Grabbing some scissors, he lifts his hair.

  Cutting off gray strands.

  Leaning in on the mirror, he pulls his lashes.

  Cutting off gray ones.

  He sets the scissors down, washing the hair down the sink.

  Stripping, he steps inside the shower. Turning it on, he gasps as the cold water stings his skin.

  After cleaning himself thoroughly, he turns off the shower.

  Grabbing his towel, he dries himself, patting the remaining droplets on his skin.

  Finally, after putting on some fresh clothes, he steps out of the bathroom.

  His gaze falls as he walks to the window, pressing a palm against the glass.

  [... I'm tired of this.]

  [How long will it take?]

  Ruffling his hair, he takes his card, phone, and wallet before heading out.

  The card taps. The elevator dings. The doors slide.

  His phone buzzes.

  He reaches for it, wide-eyed.

  Though he calms down as he reads the name.

  A little.

  [Um, good morning. 3rd Rank Exter—]

  [I just wanted to invite you into my office, to talk, you know. Are you free now?]

  [Uh, yeah, sure. I'll be there.]

  [Alright then.]

  Hanging up, he taps his card again, calling the elevator once more.

  Once inside, he presses the button to floor 155.

  Ding.

  The door rests at the far end.

  Steps echo throughout, soles clicking on the tiles.

  With a quick knock on the door, he enters the office.

  [Welcome in.]

  [You know I don't like this place. Do you ever leave the office?]

  Ayumu walks over to the red leather couch, sitting down. His eyes dart around the room, focusing on little details in the paintings.

  [So? What did you call me here for?]

  [Nothing. Just to talk.]

  A young man sits behind the desk. He wears a long, black tunic draping over his thin frame. His hair, the same color, cascades down his back.

  Ayumu: [About?]

  [Nothing important. I just wanted to tell you, it won't be possible.]

  Ayumu taps his finger on the armrest.

  [The Assessment's in six months. We can't risk chaos, Ayumu.]

  [Plus, your friend is going to take part in them, isn't he?]

  A sharp exhale.

  Ayumu: [Seong. I've been waiting over half of my short life for this.]

  Seong: [Come on, now. I'm sure you don't mean to do your friend dirty like that. If you want to do this, it means cancelling the Assessment.]

  [I don't care.]

  The room stays silent.

  [I want to do it. No matter what.]

  Seong: [Still, I refuse. Even though I know you'll do it yourself. Why not after the Assessment? What's the hurry?]

  [It's right in front of me. I can't just... Let it go.]

  Ayumu shifts in his seat, lips trembling.

  Seong: [This is the exact reason you're on vacation. Take it easy. Go out somewhere, or something.]

  Ayumu: [Whatever you say, man.]

  He sighs deeply.

  Seong: [Good.]

  Ayumu stands up, leaving hurriedly. Reaching for the handle, he stops, turning around.

  [You don't mind if I kill them, right?]

  Seong: [I know that's your goal, so... No, I don't.]

  Seong chuckles.

  [I might even promote you, if you don't get caught. And... That friend of yours...]

  [Can take your place, then.]

  ——

  [I'm scared...]

  [We're not going to fall.]

  [Still...]

  The whole city can be seen, flashing in countless colors in the night. Below, the fair stretches far away, bustling with activity. Fireworks rise from the beach before flaring up above.

  And as the cabin reaches its highest point, they both admire the view, shifting closer to each other.

  [It's beautiful...]

  [Not scared anymore?]

  [A little.]

  Her grip tightens on his hand.

  [You're terrified.]

  He chuckles.

  A faint blush coats her face.

  As they descend, he clears his throat.

  [Um... Anise, have you...?]

  [What is it?]

  [Nothing.]

  Anise glances at him.

  [... I have.]

  [I see... Then? What have they... what have they said?]

  [They agreed. Were happy about it. It's, uh, at 7:45 PM. This Saturday.]

  A smile.

  [Great. That's great.]

  [But...]

  She lets go of his hand, furrowing her brows in confusion.

  [Why are you... So eager? I mean, I-I'm glad. But... I don't know. If I'm honest, it makes me a little uncomfortable.]

  Ayumu sighs deeply. The cabin rattles a little, making his heart jump.

  [I know, I'm too pushy sometimes.]

  [You'll forgive me if I buy you cotton candy?]

  Anise laughs.

  [Do you think I'm a kid?]

  [No ma'am.]

  [I'm not old either...]

  [Just trust me.]

  They exit a cabin as it reaches the ground. After waiting for Anise to fix her hair, they begin pushing through the multitude.

  Ayumu opens his mouth to speak.

  [Sorry, I haven't asked, but, uh, how are you doing? After... You know!]

  He shouts to be heard across the sea of conversations.

  [I thought you'd never ask. I'm fine! I guess!]

  [Don't worry! You did great!]

  Ayumu bumps into someone, quickly apologizing as he tries to keep up with Anise.

  [What?]

  [I'm saying, you did great!]

  [Thanks! Have you contacted Kanna yet?!]

  Ayumu scratches his cheek, gaze jumping around the different attractions and stalls. Spotting a fairly secluded area, he reaches for her hand, making his way through the crowd.

  [I've just, been really busy.]

  [On vacation?]

  [Look...]

  He meets Anise's gaze, the colorful lights from the fair reflecting in her eyes.

  [I'll try contacting her, alright?]

  [You're late for that, her flight's tomorrow. What's strange is... You haven't done it already. It's really dangerous there, Ayumu. I'm lucky I'm alive.]

  [And I won't ever take that lightly.]

  [I know... Just...]

  She lowers her gaze, staring at the littered floor.

  [Never mind.]

  After a deep breath, Ayumu replies.

  [Okay.]

  [Don't just say okay... You need to be in contact with the people you care about.]

  Silence.

  [That means you should also check on him. It's been long.]

  [I... Don't know.]

  Anise sighs.

  Distant music distorts.

  [Why not?]

  [I don't think it's a good idea.]

  He says, rubbing his arm.

  [To be honest... since that day... I mean, the Assessment...]

  [I'm scared of him.]