CHAPTER 70 - A Date.
(Pov - Saik.)
"Hahahahahaha! The supposed God of ghosts and the fake Demon King of hell, killed in such a ridiculous and simple way! Hahahahahaha! You're so pathetic, idiot!"
"Hahahahahaha! They finally knocked you off your high horse, you miserable jerk!"
"I can't wait to see your divine punishment, human!"
"Ugh, I'm so sleepy. Hey, shitty Gods, where can I sleep? And lower your voices, please."
"You still think you're hot shit?!"
Ugh, what a drag. Did someone revive me? Most likely. If I had died completely, these shitty Gods would be torturing me in hell instead of mocking me, but they're only mocking me because they know they can't torture me yet since I'm not dead. My soul's in some kind of purgatory, but my body's still alive. The Gods keep me here to scare me and see my reactions, but I won't give them what they want, mainly because I'm not scared or worried at all. If I had really died, I'd accept my punishment without complaining—after all, it's the consequence of my own actions.
The God protector of souls.
The God protector of humans.
The God of hell.
And the official Demon King of hell in my world.
The Demon King rules and manages hell, while the God of hell oversees all the hells in existing worlds to avoid issues and ensure all Demon Kings do their jobs well. They hate me because I defeated them to obtain legendary ghost number 99.
The God protector of humans ensures human survival, allowing them to live as long as possible by giving them new knowledge. He probably allowed certain humans like me to awaken spiritual abilities to defeat monsters from different existing dimensions that invade our world daily. He'll never confirm or deny it because he hates me. Why? Because I defeated and humiliated him when he tried to stop me from capturing legendary ghost number 98. Well, number 31 was the one who humiliated him, using the legendary ghost of sexual pleasure to… Ugh, his hatred toward me is pretty justified.
And the God protector of souls hates me for making his job harder. Not worth talking about him.
We're in a completely white place filled with souls sitting in chairs, waiting their turn to be attended. The souls here belong to both the living and the dead, and this is where it's decided whether they'll live or die. For people in comas or unconscious, it's decided here if they deserve to keep living or die, and it all depends on luck, not their actions. I don't know exactly how the system works, but I understand that souls necessary for the world's destiny stay alive, while those unnecessary for the world with no benefit in returning to life die.
There are also demons here, waiting for a second chance. After hundreds of years in hell, depending on their sins, demons can come to this place hoping their sins are forgiven, so they stop being demons and ascend to paradise.
Ugh, knowing me, I'd probably need thousands of years in hell for my sins to be forgiven. Would my parents wait that long for me? It's too optimistic to think they would.
Ugh… Blah, blah, blah, blah. They keep mocking me, but it's not worth paying attention to people without… Oh, well, well.
I stood up from the chair and approached that little boy. That appearance… It must be him.
The Gods, souls, and demons around me are kneeling before him. It's him.
"Hey, where are you going?!"
"H-He's going to…?"
"Uwaaah! Idiot!"
"Stop!"
They tried to stop me, but their arms passed through my body. I'm a soul right now, and I decide who touches me and who doesn't.
They won't stop me. I can finally meet him and talk to him.
"I don't want anything to do with this!"
"Neither do I!"
The God of hell and the Demon King left.
"I'm outta here!"
The God protector of humans disappeared.
The God of souls has to stay with me; he has no choice.
"Saik, I beg you, don't go near him!"
"Hey, kid."
"Ahhhhh! You're an idiot!"
I stood in front of this boy.
What makes him so special? Well, this boy is the God who rules over the other Gods. The supreme God.
"Kid?"
"Hello, my name is…"
Huh? What?
Suddenly, my head felt heavy, and I fell to the ground. I can't lift my head off the floor.
Incredible. Being able to control others' souls so effortlessly, bypassing all the protection my soul has. This is definitely a powerful God.
"I don't care about your name, human. What do you want?"
"I just wanted to meet you. I've heard a lot about you and…"
"Blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm not interested. Goodbye."
Everything around me darkened.
Wow. He's more arrogant than I imagined.
Let's see… I feel my soul falling, so I'm returning to my body.
Well, I died and came back to life.
"Yuki will be so worried about me."
Don't worry, Yuki, I'll be home soon and cook you a delicious dinner.
I need to start preparing an excuse to justify coming back to life.
•
•
Saik's soul slowly returned to his lifeless body as he lay on a bed, with a large poster of Nikola Tesla on the wall behind him.
Meanwhile, little Yuki, desperate to reunite with her friend, tried to overcome all the obstacles in her way. She pounded on the door with all her strength, but it reflected her, unable to pass through. Desperately, she threw herself at the windows, but they remained intact, blocking her escape. Her ghostly hands passed through the walls, but she couldn't find freedom outside. Even her attempt to pass through the ceiling only resulted in a painful crash against the solid structure—or rather, the spiritual field preventing her escape.
Helplessness and sadness clung to Yuki, squeezing her heart with unbearable pain. Tears streamed from her eyes like an uncontrollable torrent. It wasn't just her inability to leave the house that filled her with sorrow, but the fact that Saik was gone. She had witnessed his death in the flesh (well, so to speak), powerless to save him.
"No, no, no! Nooooo! Saik can't be dead!" Yuki screamed, her voice filled with anguish and despair, echoing off the mute walls around her.
Memories of Saik swirled in her mind, like a tribute to his kindness and warmth. He had been the beacon that lit up her life, giving her a second chance filled with love, care, and fun. Saik, her strange but loving older brother, had given her everything she needed and always cared for her. Now, she had lost her family again. First, her mother, and now, her older brother.
Overwhelming sadness consumed Yuki, bringing her to her knees on the cold floor. Her sobs mixed with words choked by anguish and remorse.
"I'm sorry, Saik… I'm so sorry… I couldn't do anything… I couldn't save you…"
Her heart felt crushed under the weight of helplessness. The bonds that tied them, so strong and full of love, had been torn apart abruptly. Yuki was lost in a sea of sadness and pain, regretting not having the power to change Saik's fate.
As her tears fell, Yuki clung to the precious memories they shared. Every laugh, every hug, every moment of camaraderie clung to her memory. She remembered how Saik cheered her up, how he was always there for her. It was a unique and special connection that was now broken, leaving a deep void in her heart.
Yuki stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the outside world, but her eyes reflected emptiness and lifelessness. An abyss of sadness had taken hold of her, trapping her in the darkness of her own despair. Her best friend, Saik, had been taken from this world, and the pain nested deep within her being.
"Saik… No… It's so… sudden… I refuse to believe it… I refuse, I refuse, I refuse! I won't accept it! You can't abandon me; I forbid it!"
She jumped again to try to escape, but it was useless.
Desperately, she tried to leave the house, her prison of loneliness and remorse. Her mind sank into a spiral of sad and torturous thoughts as she passed through furniture and walls with an ease that reflected her ghostly state but also perfectly mirrored her desperation, trying to escape from every angle, searching for a way out. Her incorporeal form slid through objects, but she found no comfort in that ability. It was a constant reminder of her helplessness and the lack of power consuming her. She could pass through objects but not leave the house. Despite being a ghost, she was still weak. She was weak without Saik.
"Weak…"
She fell to her knees again.
"I'm nothing without Saik. Please, God, don't take him from me! He's all I have left! Please, at least let me see him again, even as a ghost! Or let me be with him! I don't want to be alone again! I don't want to, I don't want to!"
The vivid memory of Saik's death tormented her thoughts. The image of his stabbed body, his blood, his final moments with her, was etched in her mind as a reminder of her failure to protect him. The echoes of his last words, spoken in a trembling whisper, resounded endlessly in her head. Guilt consumed her, drowning her in a sea of sadness and despair.
"Mother… Father… I did… my best… I'm… sorry…"
Saik's last words made her feel worse, as he could never fulfill his mother's dream.
"Saik… Are you with your family again…? I hope so… I'm so selfish."
She approached the front door, hopeful that this time, maybe, she could pass through it and find some trace of hope outside. With every atom of her being, she tried to cross that physical barrier separating her from freedom. She pushed against the door with all her supernatural strength, but found only resistance. Her efforts were in vain, and the door remained closed, denying her access to the outside world.
The pain in her heart intensified even more. She felt trapped, locked in a world of sadness and loneliness, with only her dark thoughts for company. Tears flowed incessantly down her cheeks, feeling hope fade and the light that once inhabited her being slowly vanish.
Yuki no longer held hope of seeing Saik as a ghost, as she wanted him to be with the parents he loved so much, but at least she wanted to say goodbye, to see him one last time… To see his body and say, "Thank you for everything."
"Please, please, please. I just want to say goodbye to him! I want to see him one last time…! Please, God, at least grant me that. You've taken my family from me twice; at least grant me this wish! Do you hate me that much…? It's not fair…"
She caressed the door as her knees fell again.
"It's not fair… Saik… I don't want to be alone… Not again… Huh? W-What?"
Amid her despair, a spark of joy awakened within her. Through the closed door, she sensed a faint glimmer, a weak connection with Saik. It was as if his presence became tangible through the barrier separating her from the outside world. Her heart pounded, filling her with renewed hope, as she saw her small fingers finally able to pass through the door.
"S-Saik…"
In one last desperate attempt, she let herself be carried by determination and despair. She closed her eyes and threw herself against the door, passing through it as if she were ethereal. Her spirit crossed the physical obstacle, like a formless entity, until she found herself outside, surrounded by the vastness of the world she thought she had lost.
"I-I passed through… S-Saik's alive… Saik's alive!!!"
A cry of joy escaped her lips as the sadness momentarily dissipated. The sensation of the sun caressing her face and the breeze touching her skin filled her with a joy she had forgotten. Saik was still alive; his spirit remained in this world. The sadness lingered, but there was also a thread of hope pushing her forward.
With every step she took, she felt a stronger connection with Saik, as if his energy enveloped her, giving her strength to keep fighting. Together, they would face whatever fate had in store, no matter how dark or challenging.
But, though her heart rose with determination, she was resolved to seek justice and avenge her beloved friend's "death." She didn't want those people to get away with it.
The sadness still weighed on her, like a heavy cloak that would never fully lift. But by crossing that door and being reborn in the outside world, she had found a reason to smile again. Though the pain persisted, Saik's presence reminded her that love and friendship transcended even death.
"Saik, wait for me!!" she said joyfully, flying away from the house, guided only by her heart.
•
•
(Pov - Saik.)
Ugh… Where am I? Who brought me back to life? Was it Nergio or his family? I highly doubt it was the ghost hunters; they're more than used to killing innocents and burning them to leave no evidence. I don't think I was the exception. And they don't care enough about Hanako to revive me at her request.
Daisy? No, she doesn't have the power for this.
Lalo? A robot bee was watching me on the island, so Lalo's probably keeping an eye on me.
Ugh… Why does there have to be a threat screwing up my life every year? At 8, it was legendary ghost number 100. At 9, it was the evil organization of the new Illuminati. At 10, it was that furry. At 11, it was urban legends. At 12, it was the Sea King… Well, 13 and 14 were at least normal. But at 15, it was the deadly sins.
And now, at 17, it's the Ghost Goddess, her minions, and possibly the deadly sin of wrath… Ugh, damn it. I'll pretend nothing's happening and go on with my normal life. Let Lalo and Nergio deal with that threat; Sumi will personally handle the Ghost Goddess in the future, when I'm six feet under.
"Whatever."
I got out of bed and examined my body closely.
My uniform… My body's unharmed… Yeah, I'm fine.
I looked around. A pretty fancy room, fit for royalty. And a Nikola Tesla poster?
Nikola Tesla, huh? Yeah, I know who revived me.
"Lalo García."
The supposed reincarnation of Nikola Tesla.
I'll take advantage of the visit and ask him to give me his new console to play with Cristal.
The EvoluRado 23 console is insanely expensive; I'd have to say goodbye to half a year's worth of food. I'll ask for it and then think of an excuse to justify having it.
I opened the door to leave the room, but the outside was completely black. I'm still in the human world, so it's safe to go out. Lalo probably has something planned.
I stepped out, and the door behind me disappeared.
"Hello?"
Huh? What's that sound starting? It's the sound of drums being played with a certain rhythm.
Lalo, what are you planning…? Huh?
Something put its hand on my shoulder. A white robot?
"🎶Listen up and get ready, 'cause here comes a brilliant man. Lalo García, the radiant sin of pride. With an outgoing personality, no one can match him. His confident gaze, his addictive smile invades you.🎶"
The robot's singing? Rock? Music?
Huh? Another robot put its hand on my shoulder? A robot with a woman's wig?
"🎶A visionary of the technological world. He changed the rules, made history in a unique way. With his inventiveness, he put a smile on every face. Lalo García, the genius who conquered the cosmos.🎶"
"🎶Light up the stage, 'cause he's already here!!🎶" the robots sang together as a path of lights lit up on the floor.
The path of lights climbed some stairs, illuminating Lalo García, sitting on a throne with his legs crossed, smiling with full confidence.
… Since when are you this ridiculous, Lalo?
"🎶Lalo García, the king of rap rock. The sin of pride, his power moves us. With his technology, he changed humanity. A smile on every being, leaving his legacy for eternity.🎶" the robots continued singing.
As the robots sang, Lalo stood and walked slowly toward me, descending the staircase, and with each step, white silhouettes appeared on the black walls around us.
The silhouette of a boy playing with his computer.
The silhouette of a boy witnessing a man hanging.
The silhouette of a boy being controlled like a puppet.
Hey, Lalo, I already know your past. Is this necessary?
"🎶He built bridges of connection in our lives. Lalo, the architect of our smiles. His innovations broke barriers. The world embraced his boundless genius.🎶" the male robot sang.
"🎶From Earth to infinite space. His brilliant mind transcends any dusk. Lalo García, the protagonist of change. Conquering hearts, leaving his deep mark.🎶" the female robot sang.
"🎶Lalo García, the king of rap rock. The sin of pride, his power moves us. With his technology, he changed humanity. A smile on every being, leaving his legacy for eternity.🎶" the robots sang together.
I slowly approached him, and he approached me, to save time.
"🎶Lalo, the bold and brave genius. With his mind and heart, he built a bridge. Technology becomes his passion. And in every creation, he gifts us emotion.🎶" the male robot sang.
"🎶His legacy endures, his impact immense. Lalo García, an icon, a transcendental being. His contagious charisma inspires and motivates. The pride in his essence, a fire that ignites.🎶" the female robot sang.
"🎶Thanks to his vision, the world smiles. Lalo García, the genius who never gives up. With his rap rock, he exalts his story. And the mark he leaves rises in memory.🎶"
"🎶Lalo García, the king of rap rock. The sin of pride, his power moves us. With his technology, he changed humanity. A smile on every being, leaving his legacy for eternity. So listen up, everyone, to Lalo García's legacy. An exceptional man, full of wisdom. His pride, his smile, his unmatched rap rock. Lalo García, the genius who made the world shine.🎶" the robots sang together.
I stood in front of him, and the music stopped.
"Hey, Lalo."
"We meet again, Sa… Uwaaah!"
"Darling!!"
Number 31 slapped Lalo aside, sending him flying.
Wow, I didn't see her come in. She entered by destroying the black wall.
Oh… Well…
"You're alive, you're alive! I'll never forgive you for not letting me kill them! I'll kill that brat without mercy!!"
Number 31 hugged me tightly, crying rivers.
Seeing her so sad and crying makes me feel… really bad. I don't want to see her like this; I want her to be happy, like she always has been.
The number 31 I know always has a smile on her face, but this time, she's crying, and I feel immense sadness in her being.
Her body's trembling…
"I… I'm sorry, number 31. I didn't want to take the risk. Sorry for worrying you so much."
I patted her head and hugged her back, still hearing her sobs.
"Please forgive me. I promise I'll make up for the pain I caused you. I don't know how, but I will… So, please… could you give me a smile?"
She looked up. Huh? What? Is it raining? Some water drops fell on her face.
That's weird. We're under a roof. Am I sweating?
"Saik…"
She caressed my eyes. Huh? What…? I feel water in my eyes… Tears?
Tears, huh?
Yeah, I'm becoming a more normal person every day, capable of reflecting feelings, but… What am I feeling exactly?
Pain, gratitude, sadness? I don't even know how I feel; only my body knows.
"I… I don't even know how to feel, number 31. Sorry for not being able to tell you what I feel for making you suffer, but…"
Number 31 stood on her tiptoes to reach my… lips…
A simple kiss on the lips, not erotic or adult at all. An innocent kiss, just pressing lips together.
But even though it's a simple kiss, it makes me feel… very comfortable and good.
I know this isn't normal, but I'll let it slide.
"Please, don't let it happen again."
"I-I'll… try. My death should've been enough for them to stop suspecting me. Right, Lalo?"
He approached us, rubbing his red cheek.
"A la verga, me dolió un chingo. Puta madre, que buena mano tienes, pareces mi suegra (Goddamn, that hurt like hell. Shit, you've got a strong hand; you're like my mother-in-law). Always so aggressive, huh? You ruined our reunion."
"… Thanks for reviving him."
I thought she'd insult Lalo or act violently toward him, but she thanked him for reviving me… Thank you for caring so much about someone like me.
"I couldn't let my "compa" (bro) die. And since you, Saik, don't want to talk about anything that ruins your normal life, let's talk about the story I made up about my connection with your dad so they don't suspect you."
"Thanks."
I have a lot of questions, but I won't ask any.
Life's given me a second chance to fulfill my dream, and I'll take it.
•
•
(Pov - Kaeyko.)
A date at the mall after school.
Yeah, one of the best ideas you've had, Kaeyko. That idiot Bell made Evelyn feel bad, and she's been pretty sad since then because he reminded her of her past.
I want her to move forward and keep smiling; her problems are gone, and I don't care about her past, only her present and future. What she did, she did before meeting me, so it shouldn't matter to me, and I want her to remember that whenever she feels bad about herself.
I'm not ashamed to be her "almost" boyfriend, and I'll never be ashamed of that.
"So, what do you think?!"
Evelyn came out of the fitting room, wearing pretty light clothes. A miniskirt, a black low-cut blouse, and black sneakers.
Evelyn likes wearing comfortable clothes that show skin. Why? She told me it makes her feel freer and that she got used to it, plus it lets her highlight what she thinks is her most important asset: her beauty.
A girl who only has confidence in her appearance and doesn't believe she has more good qualities.
No, no, no. Very wrong, Evelyn. I'll personally make sure to help you boost that self-esteem. You're more than a pretty face, and your value isn't in your body but in your kind heart.
"You look great, though black doesn't really highlight your chest. But if you want to look beautiful and stylish, that outfit suits you perfectly. It's got my approval."
"Wow!"
I gave her a thumbs-up, and Kaey raised his paw. Even Kaey liked it.
"Then I'll buy it!" she said, winking.
She blew me a kiss and went back to the fitting room.
I feel eyes on me from around.
Deep breath, Kaeyko… Alright… Do it.
[Animal Instinct, activated.]
Good, I'm getting better at controlling these abilities. I can use abilities without merging, but only the basic ones. If I want to be powerful, I need to merge with Kaey, because he holds the other 50% of our power.
Alright, this ability will enhance my hearing and let me listen to what people around me are saying.
"Go talk to him."
"N-No, you do it."
… Ugh… Well, at least they're not insulting Evelyn. I thought it was something serious.
I'll keep it active just in case.
Evelyn came out of the fitting room with the clothes in her hands.
"I think that's all I'm buying. I need to save."
"Let's pay and go eat."
"Absolutely!"
Evelyn paid for her own clothes, and the looks I got were judgmental.
Hey, hey, I'm her "almost" boyfriend, not her boyfriend. Besides, paying for her clothes wouldn't be any different from thinking I'm buying her love with money.
I'll start paying for her things when we're a couple. For now, she buys her own stuff. She's an independent woman who doesn't depend on me. It's not my fault you're useless leeches. Evelyn's an independent girl, and I'm proud of her.
We left the store, and this time, I decided to be the one to take her hand.
She was about to take my hand, but I beat her to it and grabbed hers, surprising Evelyn, since she's usually the one who takes my hand.
"Well, almost girlfriend, what do you want to eat?"
"Fufu. That's why I love you, Kaeyko."
She stood in front of me and took my other hand.
"I love guys like you, not shy at all, who say what they want without beating around the bush. You even saw me in a bikini and didn't stutter or get nervous. I really hit the jackpot with you."
"Well, I think after years of hitting, being hit, isolated, and being used to girls only noticing me for my looks, it killed any trace of shyness in me. Plus…"
I took off my mask and smiled at her.
"Seeing you in a bikini filled me with happiness because you looked happy wearing it. What kind of guy would get shy seeing the girl he likes in a bikini when he could be happy that she feels comfortable wearing it? Those guys only think about themselves. And me?"
I caressed her cheek, feeling warmth on her face. Fufu. You're the shy one in this relationship, huh? How cute.
"I only care about your happiness."
"Kaeyko…"
I kissed her on the lips, no tongue, for a few seconds.
This really feels pretty good… Evelyn, I'm the one who hit the jackpot, not you.
"Brother?! You finally have a girlfriend?!"
I pulled my lips away from Evelyn and sighed.
"They ruined our moment."
My little sister and her friends approached us. What a pain.
"Phew. Thank goodness. I thought you were gay since you never brought a girlfriend home. And she's pretty cute."
"Home? Kaeyko, is this your little sister?"
"Hi, I'm Kaeyko's sister, Kaeya. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, my future daughter-in-law! Hi, hi! I'm Evelyn, the almost girlfriend and future girlfriend of your brother."
"Almost?"
"It's hard to explain… Oh…"
I took Evelyn's hand.
"I'd rather stay away from that thing with legs that insists on calling me brother. Can we go?"
"Hey, I'm not a thing with legs!"
"You sure?" Evelyn asked.
"Yeah, please."
"Alright."
We walked away, leaving my sister behind.
"Grow up already, you idiot!" that idiot shouted.
"Blah, blah, blah… Ugh… Sorry about that, Evelyn. I didn't tell you before, but I hate my family, that's why I live alone. Or did I already tell you? Ugh, I don't know. I hope you understand my situation."
"Yeah… I understand completely… My family hates me too."
"… Evelyn, I won't lie and say I understand, because I hate my family, but I don't think they hate me, at least I don't think so. But I want you to know I'll always be there for you, and even if your family hates you, you'll always have my support. You'll never be alone again."
"Yeah… Thanks. And don't worry, I won't judge you; you must have your reasons."
She kissed me on the cheek.
"Come on, give me a smile, handsome."
"At your command, my queen," I said, smiling.
Do I have reasons? Yeah, though my reasons are childish, but I spent so much time full of resentment that I can't consider reconciling with them.
Ugh… I'm an insensitive idiot.
"Woof!"
Kaey caressed my cheek with his paw.
Thanks for worrying about me, Kaey. I'll be fine; I just need some food.
I put my mask back on.
"So, what do you want to eat?"
"Whatever you want."
"I want to eat dirt. You joining?"
"Fufu. Anything will taste delicious if I eat it by your side… Ugh, I didn't know I could be such a cheesy girl, but I have to admit I'm liking it."
"I like that side of you; it's pretty cute. Want to buy ingredients at a supermarket to make spaghetti at home?"
"Ugh… I don't know how to make it."
"Oh, come on, beautiful. Did you think I'd let you cook? I proposed the date, so I cook. And don't worry, I have over… Hmm… 8 years of experience? Yeah. I started being more independent at 8, and I'll turn 16 on Christmas. Yup, 8 years of cooking experience."
Because I hated my mom for not believing me, I stopped eating what she cooked and made my own food, out of sheer pride.
Countless times, I was punished and hit by my mom for disobeying and refusing to eat what she made. She even tried to force me to eat, but I'd always end up throwing the food on the floor and stepping on it to make her angrier and stop bothering me.
Little by little, she stopped insisting with violence, and for 8 years, I haven't tasted a single dish made by her, though she always tried to convince me to eat her food.
"Y-Yes, of course, I'd love to! Your food is delicious, Kaeyko!"
She hugged my arm.
"Your birthday's on Christmas, huh? I'll have a… Huh? Y-You're turning 16?"
"Whoa. Don't like guys younger than you?"
Evelyn's 18, almost 3 years older than me. Personally, it doesn't bother me, and I hope it doesn't bother her either.
"W-Well… I don't care what others think of me; I like you, Kaeyko!"
She pulled me toward her and kissed me on the mask, where my lips would be.
How cute, though I'd have preferred a direct kiss on the lips.
"I-It's just a 3-year difference. It's not a big deal… Right?"
"Well…"
I took off my mask and caressed her chin.
She looked me straight in the eyes, and I smiled.
"Do I look and act like a 15-year-old pubescent kid whose parents pay for everything?"
"N-No."
"Then there's no problem."
I caressed her lips with my finger.
"Want to kiss me?"
"Y-Yes," she nodded.
"I want to kiss you too, but there's a problem."
"What? Does my breath stink?!"
"No, don't worry, your lips smell and taste delicious. The problem is I'm 15 and you're 18. Would you let someone younger than you kiss you? If I kiss you, you won't care about my age anymore. Deal? Otherwise, I won't kiss you again until I'm 18."
"I can't wait that long!"
She lunged at me and pressed her lips against mine.
Fufu. I knew provoking her would work. I don't want her to care about my age; I want her to only care about my feelings for her.
I pulled my lips away and took her hand.
"Would you like to have dinner with me, beautiful?"
"With pleasure, handsome."
Yeah… I'm definitely enjoying this a lot.
(Epilogue.)
(Pov - Saik.)
Video games in my bag. Ready.
Alright, I can go now.
I got out of the car.
"Thanks for everything, Lalo. I hope we don't meet again."
"You're wel… Oye, eso sonó terrible (Hey, that sounded harsh)!"
"Take care."
"That's what I should be saying. "Adiós, Saik" (Goodbye, Saik)."
Lalo drove off… Alright… I can't erase his memory anymore, so I hope he believes me.
My legendary ghosts are inside me again.
I'm unharmed. Back to normal… Alright… Here we go.
I tried to open the door, but as I did, as if she were behind it waiting for the handle to move, Yuki passed through the door.
"Saik!!"
She hugged me tightly, crying… just like number 31. The same reaction… and it makes me feel just as guilty for making her suffer.
"You're alive, you're alive! You're back! Don't leave me alone again! I was so scared!"
"I'm sorry, Yuki. I didn't know they'd kill me. Don't worry, they revived me and erased my memory—or so they think. It didn't work, but I pretended it did so they'd leave me alone. Want something specific for dinner?"
She stayed silent and just hugged me… Yeah… I understand how you feel.
I entered the house, closed the door, got on my knees, and hugged her.
"I missed you too, Yuki," I whispered, my voice breaking.
More than you know.
You've become someone indispensable in my life, and I don't know what I'd do without you.
Thank you for everything you've done for me, Yuki.
Don't worry, Yuki, our life will go back to normal. Goodbye to problems.
A comfortable and peaceful normal life.
Thank you for being with me.
Truly, thank you so much.
(Extra - Satisfaction.)
(Pov - Sylphie.)
Yes! I did it! The special trial ends tomorrow! I survived! I did it, I did it! I'll go back home with my head held high! I passed all the trials successfully!
"R-Really, I did it."
Mom, Saik, I did it! I survived the camp!
I did it… I did it.
"I really did it."
I made it.
I made it!
When I get back to school, I'll tell Saik we should celebrate our victory together. We passed the special trial successfully!
I wonder if this time we'll move up to Class A.
Well, honestly, I don't care. What mattered to me was keeping my promise. I promised Saik I'd pass this special trial, and I did!
I want to see him again. These three weeks have been really tough for me, but I made it to the end.
I did it… I really did it.
"Fufu. It feels so good."
Goodbye, useless Sylphie. Hello, useful Sylphie!
I feel amazing. I was able to make it to the end of this trial. I went through hell, but I overcame it and reached the end!
Sylphie, you surpassed yourself. I'm so proud of you!
And all thanks to Saik… I really missed him.
Has he changed in these last three weeks? My hair just grew, and… Ugh, I think I gained some weight. As soon as I get home, I'll exercise a ton!
(Author's note: End of volume 11. The special trial arc is finally over! By the way, chapters 0 and 1 have been rewritten, if you'd like to check them out.)