Ash's Room
(Ash's Perspective)
It's been ten days.
Ten long days since I started getting better—not just in terms of health, but also in the art of avoiding Airi.
I can feel her eyes on me during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes, she even knocks on my door. Of course, I just pretend to be asleep. What else am I supposed to do? I don't have an answer for her—not one I can explain without sounding insane.
Knock knock.
Again? I groaned internally.
But the voice that followed wasn't Airi's.
"It's me, Aunt Naomi," she said.
I opened the door hesitantly. She was standing there with a calm expression, arms crossed.
"I think it's time you go and face Airi," she said directly.
"Wh…what?" I stammered.
"It's clear to everyone that you're avoiding her."
"Yeah… I'll try," I muttered.
She studied me for a second, then smirked.
"You're something else, Ash."
"Ho…how so?" I asked, suddenly on edge.
Did she suspect something too? Like Airi?
"Like how both sisters—Airi and Yuki—seem to like you. A love triangle, huh? I'm impressed."
"Wa…wa…what?!"
I almost short-circuited.
She laughed.
"Okay, okay. I was joking. Don't freak out."
She walked away a few minutes later, leaving my brain scrambled.
Maybe it's time I leave this room. I haven't even explored this house yet. I still need to thank Bram properly for everything he's done for me. And now that I have a safe place to breathe... I should really start looking for information about shapeshifters—and about that damned voice that keeps screwing with my head.
Bram's Perspective
I was walking down the hallway with Airi beside me.
Thanks, Ash. Really.
(5 days ago)
"Bram, I need your help," Ash said.
"What kind of help?" I asked.
"Airi—Yuki's older sister—is suspicious of me. She keeps following me. But I can't tell her about my death-reset power…"
"So… what do I have to do?"
(Back to present)
Now here I was, walking with Airi, deep in conversation.
"So when are you gonna tell me how you made all those brilliant strategies and helped Ash earn his name in the group?" she asked.
"Y-yeah… let's first go to your room," I said nervously.
Ash, you bastard. This is all your fault.
What happens if Yuki sees me now?! My entire shot with her will vanish like smoke in the wind!
Ash's Perspective
"Where's Aki?" I asked Jun.
"Oh, Aki? I think I saw him with Rei," Jun said casually.
"Alright, thanks."
As I wandered the hallway looking for Rei, I spotted Jace and Theo sitting across from each other, playing chess.
"Wow, you two still won't give your minds a break?"
"Well… you could say that," Jace replied without looking up.
"Who said I'm playing for fun? I'm trying to beat Jace," Theo added.
As the match continued, we were soon joined by Kai and Ryn.
"It's been a while since all five of us sat together like this," Ryn said.
"Ash, that bastard Bram is taking credit for your strategies just to impress Yuki's sister," Kai said, almost grinning.
"Yeah, I know. He actually asked me for permission," I replied.
Then Theo turned serious.
"Guys… to be honest, I never felt safe in that apartment. That's why I never told you the truth."
"What truth?" Jace asked, immediately paying attention.
"Your parents… they didn't run away and leave you and Lumi, did they?"
Jace took a breath.
"I know they're dead."
"What?!" Theo's eyes widened.
"You already knew?"
"Yeah," Jace said quietly.
Kai and Ryn were stunned. I pretended to be surprised, even though I already knew.
"Well… since we're sharing…" Ryn began.
"I've basically lost hope that my parents are still alive."
"You shouldn't lose hope," Kai said quickly.
"If they were okay, they'd have contacted me. I'm still holding onto a tiny sliver of hope… but 90% of me knows the truth," Ryn said.
I looked at all of them and spoke from the heart.
"Then doesn't that mean… we should protect each other?"
"Yeah. I'll do anything to protect you guys," Jace said.
"Same here," Theo, Kai, and Ryn echoed.
"You guys… you're more than friends to me. You're like Lumi. More than my real brothers," Jace added.
"So… does that mean Theo stole his brother's potential girlfriend?" Ryn said with a mischievous smirk.
"No no no no no! No!!" Theo flailed, panicking.
"Ash! Let me explain!"
"It's okay," I said with a calm smile.
"I already knew. And honestly, even if you hadn't stepped in, I don't think I had a chance."
"Still, I deeply apologize, Ash," Theo said, genuinely remorseful.
It was the first real moment we'd had together in a long time.
A warm, genuine bond.
And I knew—more than ever—that I would do anything to protect these people.
Even if it means dying a million times.