A couple of days had passed.
Hide was still in the same sterile room. When he finally opened his eyes, his body ached, but his wounds were gone—healed completely. As his vision cleared, he noticed the faint sound of scrubbing. The room was being cleaned by several subjects.
One of them, a girl around his age with red hair and crimson eyes, glanced his way."You've been unconscious for two days," she said before turning back to mop the bloodstained floor.
Moments later, a scientist entered, pushing a small cart. He carried a loaf of bread and a cup of murky water."Glad to see you're not dead," the man said casually, setting the food on the tray beside Hide's bed. "Honestly, we thought we lost you. But you're a tough one."
Hide didn't respond. He simply stared at the bread.
"Don't give me that look," the scientist sighed. "I couldn't stop them. If I tried, I'd be next on the table."He tore a piece of bread and began feeding Hide, who was still restrained. "The name's Ling. I've been working here for two years."
Once Hide finished eating, Ling lifted the cup. "Here. Drink."
Hide swallowed the liquid reluctantly. It was thick and foul-tasting, almost metallic. As soon as the cup was empty, Ling cleaned up the tray and left the room.
Hide coughed, gagging a little. "What was in that water? It tasted awful."
The red-haired girl glanced back at him. "That wasn't water. It's some kind of 'recovery fluid.' They give it to subjects after experiments. They say it helps us heal faster."
Hide frowned. "If that's what healing tastes like, I'll pass."
The girl didn't respond. She continued scrubbing in silence.
"What's your name?" Hide asked after a while."Lucy," she said simply. "Subject Number 31. I was assigned to clean this room."
She was about his age—young, quiet, but strangely calm. She didn't seem afraid of him like most subjects were.
"Can you get me out of these cuffs?" Hide asked."I can," she said, pausing, "but only if you help me clean before Ling comes back."
Hide thought about it, then nodded. "Deal."
Lucy pulled out a small key and unlocked his restraints. The moment Hide sat up, he realized he was completely naked under the sheets. His face flushed red as he quickly grabbed the blanket.
Lucy didn't flinch. She simply held out a folded set of clothes. "Here."
"Can you turn around, please?" Hide muttered.
Lucy turned her back. Hide dressed quickly and tugged at the shirt—only to realize both the shirt and pants were worn and torn in several places.
When Lucy turned back around, Hide was glaring at her, his face bright red."These are practically rags!"
"I'm sorry," she said calmly. "They're the only ones I could find."
Hide sighed. "Fine… whatever."
Just then, a noise echoed from the hallway. Lucy's eyes widened. "I have to go. If you need to clean, use the bedsheet. There's a button that releases water from the ceiling."
"Wait—"But before he could say another word, she slipped out the door, locking it behind her.
Hide grumbled under his breath and looked around. "What's with her?"
He began to clean. Pressing the button, cold water rained down from hidden vents above. The floor darkened as the dried blood loosened. Hide scrubbed with the bedsheet until his hands burned. It was slow, exhausting work.
He realized much of the blood was his own—but some belonged to Subject 02. Yet her blood had looked… different. Almost as if it had vanished into thin air.
The thought lingered. Hide glanced at his reflection in the puddled water."How long do I have to suffer here…?"
He stopped cleaning. Instead, he began to think. If I can survive this long… maybe I can escape.
The steel door opened with a loud hiss. Ling entered, holding a clipboard. Lucy followed behind him, eyes lowered."Sorry for the inconvenience, Hide," Ling said. "You're being summoned to Director Aura's office. Oh—and you look ridiculous in those clothes."
Hide frowned but said nothing. Ling gestured for him to follow. Lucy stayed behind, returning to her cleaning.
As Hide walked, his vision flickered. His steps were slow, uneven. Ling noticed."Doctor Aura will be waiting for you," he said, pointing toward a door at the end of the corridor.
Hide nodded and limped toward it.
Inside, Director Aura sat at her desk. She turned as he entered, smiling warmly—too warmly."Hide-kun," she said. "Sorry about those clothes. Here."
She handed him a neatly folded outfit. Hide accepted it. Aura politely turned away while he changed.
When she turned back, she smiled. "That looks adorable on you. Handsome, even."
Hide glanced at the mirror—he was wearing light gray shorts and a short-sleeved sweater."What are these for?" he asked.
"You'll be going to the beach," Aura said. "A reward of sorts. Director Hojo thought you and the other subjects deserved a trip outside. Fresh air will do you good."
"The… beach?" Hide echoed.
Aura chuckled. "You've never been outside since arriving here, have you? Don't worry—you'll like it."
She motioned toward the door. "Now then, my lovely subject here will take you back to your room. She's a bit quiet, but don't mind that."
A girl stepped inside. Hide recognized her instantly—Subject 02. Her name was Rin. She was dressed in a bathing suit with a short jacket over it, her expression calm but distant.
Hide smiled faintly. "Rin, huh?"
She nodded. "Let's go."
They walked through the halls together, accompanied by several guards. Soon, they reached a large chamber where the other directors and subjects were waiting.
Hide spotted Jin, Sona, Lucy, and five others. He introduced Rin to the group, though she barely said a word. The others were polite, but he could feel it—eyes lingering, whispers hushed. They were afraid of him.
Hide stepped away, giving them space. Maybe it's better that way, he thought. A monster doesn't belong among them.
A low rumble filled the air. Shadows moved above them. Everyone looked up.
Descending from the sky was a massive flying manta ray, its wings gleaming like glass under the light. The subjects gasped in awe.
Hojo stood near its side, grinning. "Well then, everyone—let's not waste time. Climb aboard!"
They followed, stepping carefully onto its broad, smooth back. The creature let out a deep, haunting call before spreading its wings wide.
With a single powerful motion, it rose into the air.
Hide clutched the edge of the platform and looked out over the horizon. Mountains rolled endlessly into the distance, forests stretched like oceans of green—and for the first time in years, he could feel the wind.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"So this… is the outside world," he whispered. "It's beautiful."