A few days had passed since Sasaki and Mao visited the Sage.
Kural and Nexus stood together, discussing the cracks that had begun forming throughout the space continuum.
"At this rate, the cracks will spread into the lower realms," Nexus said.
"We'll deal with it later," Kural replied.
Suddenly, the doors opened.
Sasaki walked in.
His aura was deathly.
Kural and Nexus immediately tensed, their guards going up.
Sasaki stopped in front of them.
The two Architects exchanged nervous glances.
"What happened?" Kural whispered.
"I don't know," Nexus whispered back.
Sasaki stared at them.
"Where. Is. Mao?"
The two immediately relaxed.
"She's sick," Nexus replied.
Sasaki frowned.
"Why would that affect us? We're Architects."
"...It's not a normal sickness."
"...Go on."
Nexus sighed.
"She's terribly lovesick."
Sasaki's expression stiffened.
"...Why is that?"
"Ever since you two returned from meeting the Sage, she hasn't eaten or drunk anything."
Kural scratched his head.
"She's been stalking you, you know."
"What...?" Sasaki asked, genuinely confused.
"I'm going to see Mao."
"Wait," Nexus said. "It's probably best if you don't."
Sasaki stopped.
"If you go check on her, I fear she might pass out again."
"..."
Sasaki thought for a moment.
"It's okay. I'll make sure that doesn't happen."
Nexus sighed.
"Alright. Just make sure to bring her a warm meal while you're at it."
Sasaki nodded and headed toward the kitchen.
"This place is huge..." he thought.
He began preparing a meal for Mao.
As he cooked, he suddenly felt like someone was watching him.
Sasaki quickly turned around.
Nobody was there.
"...Must have been my imagination."
He finished cooking and carried the meal toward Mao's room.
He knocked on the door.
"Mao. It's me, Sasaki. I brought you some food."
Silence.
Then—
THUD!
A loud crash came from inside.
Sasaki's expression changed.
"Mao?"
Worried, he quickly opened the door.
His eyes widened.
"...!"
Mao was standing in the room, looking completely disheveled.
Sasaki immediately looked away and shut the door again.
"I'm sorry!"
Before he could move, Mao suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
Sasaki stumbled.
"Hello, Mao."
His voice trembled slightly.
Mao remained silent.
She stared directly into his eyes.
"M-Mao... Are you okay?"
She didn't answer.
Her face was flushed, and a strange grin slowly appeared.
Chains suddenly wrapped around Sasaki.
"Oh, Sasaki..."
Mao's voice was quiet.
"You thought you could get away with this?"
Sasaki's eyes widened.
"Mao, wait—"
Before she could do anything else, Sasaki quickly bumped his forehead against hers.
"OW!"
Mao stumbled backward.
She looked toward her desk.
Her umbrella.
She grabbed it and immediately lunged toward him.
Sasaki quickly broke free from the chains and caught her.
"...!"
"Mao, I'm sorry for doing this."
Before she could react, Sasaki gently tapped her forehead with his own.
Mao's eyes widened.
A moment later, she collapsed from exhaustion.
Sasaki caught her before she hit the floor.
"...That worked."
He looked down at her and sighed.
"Why did you pull me into your room like that?"
He carefully carried Mao to her bed.
He made sure she was properly dressed, pulled the blankets over her, and made sure she was comfortable.
He stood there for a moment.
"...Man."
He sighed.
"That was probably the strangest thing that's happened to me all week."
Sasaki turned toward the door.
Then stopped.
Someone was standing there.
Kural.
He had apparently been there the entire time.
Sasaki's face stiffened.
"..."
Kural stared at him.
Sasaki stared back.
"...What's up?"
Silence.
"Hey... Kural."
Kural continued staring.
Sasaki slowly looked away.
"...How long have you been standing there?"