"AHH! What have I done?! AHHH!"
Klein found himself inside the Historical Void in the pre-epoch time, repeatedly banging his head against a skyscraper's concrete wall.
"Why?!" he screamed.
It was Monday, early morning, the day following Klein and Audrey's date.
"Why? Why? Why?! Why did I do that?!"
His actions from the previous day kept replaying over and over inside his head. Klein, now with a clear mind, wished he could travel back in time and slap the old him.
"A gentleman doesn't do that! A gentleman doesn't lose control like a wild animal! What would she think of me now?" he said as he stopped banging his head against the wall. "AHH! I'm no different from those webnovel main characters!"
The memory of the emerald green dress clinging to her body flashed in his mind, and he groaned, sinking to his knees.
Klein, the man who had faced demigods and escaped the God of Deceit Amon, was undone by a kiss. He had wanted to give her a perfect, romantic date to make her happy. Instead, he felt he had ruined it with his lack of control.
I've got to apologize...
Empress Borough, inside Audrey's room.
After yesterday's steamy moment on that one hill, Klein teleported Audrey back to her mansion and then left after saying goodbye.
She was left alone in her room, still wearing the dark green dress. She had realized just how scandalous her dress was during their kiss, but she had previously dismissed the thought. Now that she "sobered up," she realized her mistake.
Audrey had quickly taken off her dress, realizing just how revealing it was. She threw the silk dress onto a chair as if it were poison, her cheeks burning with a shame that completely overshadowed the passion from the previous night.
"What was I thinking?" she whispered to the empty room, pacing back and forth. "An outfit like that... It's completely unbefitting of a noble lady!" The memory of his intense kiss now felt less like a moment of shared romance and more like a direct result of her improper choice. "He must think I'm so... forward. Klein, I'm not like that!"
She then sat down on her bed, trying to make sense of what had happened yesterday. The seductive dress... the kiss... the touching... It all kept playing on loop inside her mind.
"Ah!" She slapped her cheeks with both her hands. With a groan, she thought, ...I need to apologize.
Inside Sefirah Castle, 3 pm Backlund time.
"You may talk amongst yourselves," said Mr. Fool. There were no diary entries this time.
"..."
None of the Tarot Club members seemed to have anything worth talking about.
After a few seconds of silence, The World spoke.
"Miss Justice, I require your assistance exploring the Hall of Truth again later today. I'll pay you for your troubles."
The Hall of Truth? The Star, Leonard, raised his eyebrow at the mention of this place. I thought we explored everything there. Did we miss something?
Miss Justice jolted slightly in surprise. "Th-the Hall of Truth?" She raised her head slowly to try to look at Mr. World, but then quickly cast her gaze down in embarrassment. Uuuu I can't even look at him! The shame she felt this morning was burning her up. "A-Alright, Mr. World. I'll be there." She immediately agreed. Her guilt and shame didn't even allow her to question the reason for this re-exploration
Her unusual behaviour was easily noticed by The Hanged Man Alger and The Hermit Cattleya, some of the most experienced Beyonders here.
Alger observed Miss Justice, who was trying very hard not to look at Mr. World. She looks very embarrassed... and Mr. World seems... quite composed? Could he just be hiding it behind a facade? Is this behavior related to how they have acted in the past meetings? This isn't just about exploring, is it?
The Hermit Cattleya remained quiet, having similar thoughts.
Suddenly, Miss Magician spoke, "Excuse me, Mr. World. May I also tag along?"
"No—"
"Sure. Isn't it fine, Mr. World?"
Miss Justice cut him off before he could deny Miss Magician's request. I need someone else there, too! I won't be able to stand being alone with him after yesterday's events! Audrey thought.
Going to the Hall of Truth was Klein's plan to apologize. What better place to apologize in than the place where she could hear the thoughts inside his head? This way, she would see he had nothing to hide and was truly apologizing from the heart.
Unfortunately for Klein, Miss Magician threw a wrench into his plans.
Is she not taking the hint?! I want it to be just the two of us so we can talk it out! Don't go around inviting others! he screamed inwardly.
With a mental sigh, he said, "No, there's no need for other people to tag along—"
"But Mr. World, I wish to record the Hall of Truth myself to trade the information with the Abraham family in exchange for mystical artifacts. I will pay 5,000 pounds for the trouble."
"..." Klein thought about it, 5,000 pounds? Does she really have that much money to throw around? Well... I can't exactly say no to that much money...
He cleared his throat and said, "Alright then."
A few hours after the meeting ended, Klein summoned Miss Justice and Miss Magician above the gray fog. The World was already waiting there.
Once they all gathered, they then entered Groselle's Travels and made their way to the Dragon of Imagination Ankewelt's City of Miracles, Liveseyd. Once inside the grand palace, they reached the Hall of Truth.
Once we step inside, they'll be able to hear my thoughts... Klein thought, if only Fors wasn't here, I could actually apologize properly...
"...apologize properly." Klein's thoughts echoed across the hall...
Audrey flinched and looked at Klein, currently disguised as Gehrman Sparrow. Wha—?!
Fors's thoughts also leaked out. Apologize? Did Mr. World do something wrong to Miss Jus—wait! No! Mr. World, I'm sorry! Don't listen to me! The hall betrayed her and earned her a glare from Gehrman.
"...why the hell does the hall's effect start from over here?"
A similar thought echoed out loud from Klein and Audrey—the only ones who have already been here.
With a sigh, Klein stepped forward. Audrey and Fors soon followed.
The great hall was deathly quiet, the only sound being the soft echo of their footsteps on the polished floor. The air was thick with awkwardness.
Just focus on the walls. The carvings are very old. I am here to work. I hear nothing. I think nothing. Fors's frantic thoughts leaked out again, betraying her desperate attempt to be invisible.
Audrey risked a glance at Gehrman Sparrow's back.
He wanted to apologize? she thought. For what? The ki—? Stop thinking! Stop thinking!
Klein let out another silent sigh. This is a mess. How can I explain anything with her listening to every thought?
As if hearing his frustration, Fors suddenly stopped. "I'll, uh, start recording this section over here!" she hurriedly announced, before practically scurrying away to the farthest corner, putting as much distance between herself and the other two as possible. She then began to memorize the content of the murals so she could write it down when she got back to the real world. Just do your work, Fors!
Seeing his chance, Klein stopped and turned to face Audrey. He knew there was a chance Fors could likely still hear him, but he had to finish what he started. He took a breath and sent out a clear, deliberate thought, no longer an accident.
Audrey, I apologize for my actions yesterday. I got carried away, and I was worried I had made you uncomfortable or scared you. That was never my intention.
The mental apology was so clear and sincere that it made Audrey's heart ache.
No! You have nothing to be sorry for! It was my fault! I was the one who wore that improper dress! I was too forward. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you!
From the far corner of the hall, Fors, who had been trying very hard not to listen, heard the entire mental exchange.
Her jaw dropped.
A lover's quarrel! she thought in a mix of terror and utter delight. About a dress and getting 'carried away'?! This is great story material! I have to remember every detail! No! Bad Fors! Forget it all! For your own safety, forget everything! Wait... Gehrman Sparrow and Miss Justice are a thing?! No! Mr. World, Miss Justice, ignore what I'm saying! Ahh!
The misunderstanding was now completely out in the open. Klein and Audrey stared at each other with deep, mutual, red-faced embarrassment.
"...I might have to turn Miss Magician into a marionette now." Klein's inner thoughts echoed throughout the hall...
Fors felt a chill run down her spine.