[How much longer will you put on the act?]

  [Until it's done.]

  Twirling white strands of hair, he watches as the young man smirks.

  [Didn't know you would go that far. Does anything else even matter to you?]

  [I don't know, Seong. I can't think ahead of what I want.]

  Seong takes a bite of his ice cream, looking over at him.

  [Are you acting like you care about this conversation, too?]

  [If it's you, I don't mind walking away whenever I want to.]

  The young man chuckles.

  [Your words are empty, Sig—]

  Slamming his fist on the table, he looks around wearily. Startled customers and staff stare at him.

  After calming down, he clicks his tongue, eyes focused on the white tiles.

  Seong: [I'm sorry.]

  Ayumu: [You better be.]

  Seong clears his throat.

  [Do you really... care, about them?]

  [I did, at some point. At least, there's one person I still care about.]

  [Anise?]

  [Kanna. I consider her to be my sister, even if we aren't remotely related.]

  Seong raises a hand. A waiter approaches the table, a practiced smile plastered on her face.

  Seong: [Can I get these... chocolate waffles?]

  Waiter: [Of course, right away. Anything else you may want?]

  Seong: [And a—]

  Ayumu: [That's all.]

  [Just the waffles.]

  She scribbles in her notebook, nods, and leaves for the kitchen.

  Seong: [What about your friend? The one who failed.]

  Ayumu: [I've already told you.]

  [I... I don't know.]

  [He's just, something.]

  Seong: [Oh? So you fear him?]

  He chuckles.

  [What's he gonna do to you? What's he even capable of?]

  Ayumu stays silent.

  A bead of sweat rolls down his forehead.

  [Regular people always remain regular. He's the first who...]

  Seong's eyes narrow. Pushing his plate, he cleans his hands with a napkin.

  [If you're that scared of a scrawny kid, maybe I should consider extending your vacation.]

  [I'll still do it.]

  [No, you won't. You'll end up in jail. And then, worrying your little girlfriend, and your sister, who's flapping around in a remote jungle in Myanmar. As strong as she is, you never know when the fire you use to cook... Cooks you.]

  Exhaling slowly, he brings the plate closer again.

  Ayumu stands up, running a hand through his shirt. Grabbing his wallet, he places the money neatly on the table.

  [I'm done with this conversation.]

  [Good.]

  Seong stands up, too, following Ayumu outside.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Covering his eyes from the Sun, he ties his hair in a ponytail.

  Ayumu: [Is it really practical to grow your hair that long?]

  Seong: [Of course. Because I look good.]

  He scoffs. Ayumu walks behind him, stepping through the pavement and trying to dodge people.

  [Anyways, I wanted to talk about the promotion.]

  [Not interested.]

  [You don't get it. If you take the promotion, Ayumu, your friend can come here. Work with you. No Assessment, nothing.]

  [Why are you trying to advertise it to me?]

  [Because I need you a Rank higher. You're already strong enough. And much smarter than the big, influential people I know.]

  [Brag about it. Don't care.]

  Seong turns around to face Ayumu. People step around him, cursing under their breath at the inconvenience.

  [Go see your friend. Maybe then, you'll realize what you think about him.]

  [You're not the one to say what I'll do.]

  [I am. Who else supports your crazy plan? You need me, I need you. And we trust each other. What else do you want?]

  [Still, I won't.]

  [Alright.]

  They resume walking.

  [You can go by yourself, or I'll kidnap you and take you there myself.]

  [Try it, you—]

  A hook lands square on his jaw, sending him tumbling to the ground.

  [Wha a yu doin, man?]

  He says with his mouth open. His hands travel to his jaw.

  [If I were a villain, or your evil coach, I'd say putting you in your place.]

  Seong crouches down, smiling widely.

  [I'll say I'm just beating sense into you.]

  Snowfall.

  Pitch black.

  Freezing.

  Arms. Legs. Self.

  Gone.

  Back.

  Ayumu gasps, sweating profusely.

  [You'll see your friend, and offer him the posting. Doesn't matter if he declines, but make sure to tell him. You're free to do anything you want after.]

  Seong's eyes widen.

  [Understood, Mr. Alabaster?]

  [Un... understood.]

  Seong helps Ayumu stand up, patting dirt off his clothes.

  Seong: [It's been a while since we last played volleyball. Want to?]

  Ayumu: [You really have no shame. Only if you promise not to pause midways.]

  Walking ahead, they walk through a small bridge. The sea can be seen ahead.

  Seong: [I can't just leave my fans waiting for me.]

  Ayumu: [You've got no fans. At all.]

  Seong: [Stop being so jealous.]

  Ayumu clicks his tongue. Increasing his pace, he leaves Seong behind.

  Arriving at the beach, they take off their shoes and walk on the hot sand.

  Ayumu: [You see anybody?]

  Seong: [Of course. Those over there. They've got a decent ball, too.]

  Ayumu: [Alright.]

  Just as they approach, Ayumu stops.

  [What's the matter?]

  [Nothing. Why... Why did you do that to me?]

  [Come on, I wouldn't kill you.]

  [... Not sure about that.]

  ——

  [Turn the AC on.]

  [Right away, sir.]

  Ayumu glances outside his window, following the gray, crumbled buildings. Adjusting his headrest, he sighs.

  [Why are we going through here?]

  [Fastest route.]

  [Yeah, well, maybe I need some more time.]

  Silence. Just the rolling of wheels and the humming of the engine.

  Pulling the curtain shut, he closes his eyes.

  [What else did Seong tell you?]

  [Nothing much. I just have to make sure you get there.]

  [I see.]

  He taps his fingers on the seat.

  [So... How long?]

  [14 minutes.]

  Ayumu nods.

  [I'm actually getting impatient, now. Can you hurry up?]

  Irritation clings to his voice.

  [I thought...]

  [Alright, sir. As you want.]

  A few minutes pass in complete silence. Ayumu doesn't stop fidgeting.

  [Seong told me it's been a year or two since you last saw him.]

  [I guess. Didn't really prioritize meeting with him.]

  [Why are you nervous about him?]

  Ayumu shoots his gaze upwards, leaning forward on his chair.

  [See, now you're talking too much for a driver.]

  [Sorry, sir.]

  Leaning back again, he rubs his eyes with the palms of his hands.

  [How long?]

  [We're just ahead.]

  Looking ahead through the windshield, he sees it.

  The Center.

  The car stops just in front.

  [We're here, sir.]

  [I know. I'm leaving. Exiting. Alright?]

  [Sure.]

  Ayumu grabs the handle and pushes the door open.

  With a deep breath, he walks over to the entrance, staring at the door.

  [Okay, let's do this...]

  He says without moving.

  At all.

  Minutes pass as he hesitates to knock.

  [It's been a long time.]

  A voice, from behind.

  Slowly, he turns around.

  Black eyes stare at him.

  A small smile.

  [Where have you been?]

  Ayumu stammers.

  [I... Well...]

  He sighs deeply, gaze falling to the shopper Hinozu carries.

  [Uh... It's better, do we go inside?]

  [Will it take long?]

  A car whizzes by.

  [... Not really.]

  [Do you really want to enter?]

  Ayumu hesitates, tapping his foot on the pavement.

  [No.]

  [There's no need, then. What did you want?]

  [I'm being promoted. 2nd Rank. And so—]

  [Congratulations. How's everything going?]

  [Good.]

  An itch.

  [What about Kanna?]

  [She's, um... Good.]

  A scratch.

  [You must be stronger, now.]

  Hinozu's smile widens momentarily.

  [Listen, I just came here to tell you something. Um... Would you be open to... Taking my place, as a 3rd Rank?]

  The question startles him, eyes widening in shock.

  [I mean uh... You did plan on doing the Assessment, right?]

  [So... It'll be better if you can just, skip that. Yeah.]

  [What do you say? We'll work together! Kanna, too. It's what you've always wanted, right?]

  [What do you say?]

  ...

  Hinozu nods slowly.

  His lips part, quivering slightly. His hands clench and unclench repeatedly.

  [I...]