As Ilaya was wallowing in her grief, Mars and the owner are walking towards the restaurant. Just a moment ago, Mars was really having a bad premonition
Because of her guilt at Ilaya being caught by the serial killer, she's constantly thinking about Ilaya's well being. So, she decided to send her a message that shows her love and concern for her. And also to encourage her
After she sends the message. She felt somewhat better as she asked her boss
"Boss, how about we visit Ilaya later when we close the restaurant?"
The boss looked at Mars and asked her
"Do you even know where she lived?"
Mars shook her head dejectedly as she said
"No, but I can ask her. But… I'm worried that Ilaya will not tell us her location. The new friends that she talked about are probably some kind of… bad people. That's why she rarely talk about them"
The boss nodded as he thought to himself
'They're probably of the Yakuza's. The Intel that I received from the police forces is that they've launched a search, where the possible hideout of the serial killer is located. But, I don't know what those people want from Ilaya'
Then, the two took a turn and saw the restaurant. The boss then said to Mars who being uncharacteristically quiet
"If you can somehow get her location, we can go to visit her. But if you can't, tell her to visit us if she can"
Mars nodded as she opened the door to the restaurant and said to her boss
"Yes, I can at least convince her to visit us. I miss her now"
Then, two started preparing to start to open the restaurant
…
As Ilaya got tired from crying, she entered the bathroom to take a bath again. She looked at her disheveled appearance as she noticed her puffy eyes. Her eyes are red from crying so much that she felt numb to such occurrence
She took off her clothes and removed her bra as she looked at her self-inflicted wound in the center of her chest. The blood started to solidify as she felt fine where the wound is located
She suddenly had a hunch as she walked towards the shower and removed her blood from her chest as she washed it. Then, a clean smooth skin are left where her wound was previously located
'This recovery speed is insane. Although the cut is only a centimeter, it's still a wound that reached my bone. Now, it's perfectly smooth'
Ilaya then proceeded to wash her body as she remembered Ivana had said to her earlier
'That's right. Ivana is basically a stranger to me, and she can kill me if she feels like it. I subconsciously relied on her kindness as I really want the comfort and the company of other people. But, I should've know better, I need to be vigilant about the people that will attempt to get close to me, no matter if I desire for other people's warmth'
Ilaya put the shower to the handle as she let the water soaked her. Then, she gripped her hands so much as she thought
'That's right. I need to stop relying on everyone! Kyora, you're right! As you're right, I'll use you as my stepping stone to control my power! And when the time comes! I'll surpass you and return the punch that you've given me!!'
As her emotion turned into rage, she shouted furiously as she struck the wall with her fist
"Haaahhhhh!!"
Thud!
Wounds immediately appeared in her fist as blood drops to the floor. Even so, Ilaya didn't even flinched as blood red aura emerged from her body. But, unbeknownst to her. Her hair faintly glowed white for a moment before it vanished
…
As the time turned 12pm. Ilaya got out of the shower as she felt cold after letting out her thoughts rampant. Then, she looked intensely at the table where Ivana and her had conversed earlier. As she stared at the table, she couldn't but noticed the food that's left on the tray
Her stomach grumbled as she headed there immediately and picked up the freshly baked bread. Well, freshly baked earlier but it makes no difference to her. She took a bite at the bread as she walked towards her bed and picked up her phone
She looked at it to check for any messages and she found that Mars sent her a message. She opened it and saw an invitation to visit them at the restaurant. Ilaya hesitated for a bit
She had just made a resolution to stop relying on someone whenever she's hurt or something. Of course, she will not use the kindness of Mars and the owner for nefarious purposes. But that's different from Ivana.
She will take whatever she can take from her and use it to make her stronger. They're in partnership to obtain what each other wanted anyway so Ilaya will let herself to be used as long as she can take advantage of Ivana in return
In the end, she refused Mars' invitation. She replied that she's going to sort her mind first before seeing them. It's a clumsy excuse, she knows, but for their and her sake. She's willing to wait for a bit
After sending the message, she got out of her room and headed towards the lobby of the building. She saw many people and she decided to talk to one of them. Ilaya walked towards the woman sitting in the desk as she asked her a question
"Hello, did the boss tell you, or anyone here, what I should do when I'm staying here?
The woman looked at her annoyingly and said
"No, she didn't say anything that you should do. Talk to Nicole or something. I'm busy"
Then, the woman returned to her work, leaving Ilaya awkwardly standing. She's hurt by her attitude, but when she thought about the deaths that she had unintentionally caused to them. She couldn't help but think that this cold attitude is the appropriate response that they should show her
She held back the tears and sadness that's uncontrollably coming out and she forced a smile and apologetically said to the woman
"Is that so? Alright, thanks for telling me"
Then, she walked out from the building as she looked for Nicole. She is an odd one so maybe, she's not going to be cold to her. Then, she walked towards the gate while admiring the flower that's blooming beautifully in the path. She curiously studied the flowers as she noticed that they are really taking good care off
As she's crouching while looking at the flower. A familiar child voice called out beside her
"It's pretty isn't it?
Ilaya got startled as she abruptly looked back. She saw Nicole leaning towards her while looking at the flower. She couldn't help but think
'How did she get so close to me without me noticing? If I use my power, that's a different matter. But, it's still impressive'
Ilaya then stood up as she smiled and said to her
"Yes. It's very pretty. How did you make them so healthy?"
Ilaya made small talk as she's hoping to have someone converse with her. As she waited for Nicole's reply. She saw her crouched as she cares the flowers and said to her
"Of course, by making them happy! I talk to them sometimes when I notice that they're not doing well. Then, they get better soon enough!"
Ilaya felt touched by her love towards the plants. Her points to Ilaya's heart started rising, and only to plummet as she saw Nicole plucked a flower
'Isn't it your children? Why are you destroying them!?'
Then, Nicole stood up as she gave her the flower
"Here! You looked so sad so I'll gave it to you! My child gave it's life so accept it!"
Ilaya was touched by her words, but also disturbed the way she described it. Nicole's points to her heart keep rising and plummeting at the same time. She banished her point system from her head as she accepted the flower and said to her
"Thank you. You're so kind"
Then, Ilaya put the rose to her ear and Nicole immediately exclaimed as she saw her
"Wow! You're so pretty! The rose compliments you so perfectly!"
Ilaya became shy as someone complimented her. Then, she looked around the garden. She felt at peace in this place. As she feeling relaxed, Nicole abruptly ended it as she happily said to her
"Now that's out of the way, let's plan your training now!"
Ilaya immediately became dumbfounded as she let an unintentional sound
"Ahh?"