The hand that should have been warm was now cold as it rested on my shoulder.
—No, that's wrong.
He wasn't touching me at all. It was just that this man's gaze was spreading an icy film across my spine.
"You must come to see me. I don't expect anything, but it will be for your own good."
"—"
He solemnly closed his eyes.
"—Kuto."
Before I could reply, the two men disappeared into the darkness of the night. They vanished from the long road stretching before me in less than a minute.
"..."
I was speechless.
What on earth was that all about?
It seemed like a casual exchange at first, but in the end, only an unpleasant feeling remained, like wanting to throw up everything in my stomach. His voice was different than usual, serious, and completely ruined the atmosphere.
—Why on earth do I have to meet with these people? I have absolutely no interest in things like supernatural phenomena or magical powers. And, come to think of it, I didn't know anything about this man at all.
For some reason, only after his gaze left me could my head think properly again.
"—Hmph—"
Even so, only strange sounds came out of my mouth.
"—Ah, the cake has melted quite a bit."
The dessert wasn't in bad condition, but if I stayed any longer, the lettering would probably melt away. The duck too.
—So, I decided to hurry home without hesitation.