"They made you sign something?" Zaen asked.
Hina had just told him the reason none of them could meet him. Apparently, there wasn't much Zaen knew about what happened after his sanity plummeted.
A group of five individuals saved them, and him too, before capturing the anomaly. Then, while he was taken away for treatment, the rest of them were taken into custody.
There, the suited individuals made them sign a strange paper, saying it was a non-disclosure agreement.
"Yes, that sheet of paper did something to us," Hina said, maintaining some distance from Zaen since she didn't know how he'd react. "Whenever we tried to disclose what truly happened, the story about the gangster attack came by itself."
She continued, "However, when we talked with those agents, nothing of that sort happened. It was as if we could only reveal the truth to them and no one else."
Zaen couldn't believe it, but then again, it was much more believable than suddenly being trapped in a world of anomalies playing a survival game.
That paper... it must have been an anomaly.
That was the only explanation Zaen had for the strange reaction. While he was thinking about it, Hina couldn't keep it to herself and squatted down in front of Zaen.
Before he could realize what was happening, she grabbed his arm and began slapping herself with it. Shocked, Zaen yanked his hand back.
"What are you doing?" he yelled.
"No… You should hit me, and all of us…" Hina sniffled. "We were all alive because of you, but couldn't contact you, nor were we there when you needed us. I don't know about the others, but when I tried to meet you, I was kicked out of the institute."
Zaen took a deep breath before standing up.
It was true that he was hurt. Especially by Shyra's sudden breakup call. While none of them asked him to do what he did, her ungratefulness and annoyed tone made him think if he ever knew her.
However, he had already made peace with the fact. Shyra's reasons didn't matter to him. The only thing which did matter was to get his eyes back.
Hina didn't know what was going on inside his head and hugged him. Zaen was startled and even wanted to push her away, but found that her grip around his waist was… too strong.
What…?
It was as if Hina had gained a lot of strength after coming out of the game. However, her physique remained the same.
"I… am sorry about this," Hina mumbled, but her voice wasn't as quiet as before. "I know you'd think I'm taking advantage of you… but the truth is, I have had a crush on you even before Shyra came into the picture—"
"Hina, this—"
"NO! Let me finish… please."
Zaen's body stiffened. Not because Hina told him to, but it was more like his body was frozen in place by her embrace and refused to react.
He felt her hands slithering across his back, feeling every muscle of his body, while her face was pressed against his chest.
"I have liked you since the day I first saw you two years ago," she said, sounding giddy like a child. "Shyra knew it, and she took you for herself. That bitch… but now that she has left you, I'm not going to waste this moment."
"All those times you hugged him back in the game… I had never felt so happy in my entire life. That's when I knew you must have felt the same. So… can we… become a thing? You know…"
Although she asked that, Zaen stood there petrified. At that moment, he knew something was off. Perhaps letting Hina inside was the worst thing he could've done.
The game… it must have rewarded Hina and the others with strange abilities like mine. Yes, that must be it. But how do I get out of this mess?
Suddenly, her hand moved to his face, carefully caressing his cheek with her thumb. At the same time, there was a knock on the door. Hina turned towards the gate. As soon as she did, Zaen could move again.
However, he didn't move or push her back. Something was wrong with her head, and he didn't want his erratic behavior to make Hina react. Not when his family was there.
"Tsk… I'll see who it is—"
Hina clicked her tongue and moved to the door.
"What's the hurry?" Zaen said, grabbing the hand that had been caressing his face seconds ago. "You don't want my answer?"
Before Hina could react, he pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. Hina's eyes widened in surprise, wondering what was happening, but within moments she melted in his arms.
Finally, her feelings were being reciprocated, and she was happy… a bit too happy.
In reality, Zaen was afraid. Afraid of what she'd do to others in her craze. He had to calm her down first and foremost before anything.
"I want you too," Zaen lied through his teeth. "But… it's too soon. As much as I want us to be a thing, I want some time to myself for now. Can you let me have it?"
"Time?" Hina asked, tilting her head. "What do you need time for?"
"To… get used to the fact I can't ever see your face," Zaen mumbled, his face dropping in sadness.
Hina frowned before touching the bandages wrapped around his eyes. It was true that Zaen was imperfect. While it didn't bother her, she wanted him to return to being his confident self.
Hina thought for a moment and then nodded, but not before planting a kiss on his lips.
"Take as much time as you need," she said, once again caressing his face. "I have waited for you all this time, and I can wait longer. Unlike a certain someone."
"Thank you. I can't believe I had to lose my eyes to see what was waiting for me all this time."
"You and your sweet words…" Hina rolled her eyes, guiding Zaen to the door. As she did, he heard a faint slithering sound like a snake moving over sandpaper.
They opened it, and Uncle Mack was standing there. Hina gave him a smile before walking away. But then she seemed to remember something and turned around.
"You can call me whenever you want to talk," she said as she left.
Uncle Mack was confused about what was going on there, but didn't say a word until she was gone.
"Zaen, what is going on?"
"Uncle… let's send Aeron to a boarding school."