8:00 p.m. at Nieza's residence.
Kira lay sprawled on the bed in the room next to Nieza's. The room was far too large for someone who had just become a personal bodyguard. As he stared up at the beautifully crafted ceiling, his thoughts drifted back to Nieza's negotiation with her father. It had been terrifying.
Vermello—Nieza's father—had nearly hurled his favorite chair at Kira the moment Nieza announced that she intended to make him her personal bodyguard. If Nieza hadn't gone as far as putting on an act—fainting in front of her parents until Kira had to catch her, making it look as if he were the only hope for her survival against her illness—the negotiation would probably have failed.
A personal bodyguard under special conditions. From now on, Kira would have to undergo various tests from Vermello to prove whether he was worthy of the position or not. Just thinking about it made him feel tired already.
Knock. Knock.
The sound of knocking broke Kira out of his thoughts. He quickly got up and opened the door.
"Nieza?" Kira said in surprise when he saw her standing there in her sleepwear, carrying a small notebook, a white shirt, a black blazer, and black pants with stitched lines along the outer seams.
"This is your uniform for tomorrow. I don't want you looking sloppy anymore now that you're my personal bodyguard. And about Mr. Zia—the information you asked for earlier… it's in this notebook. Read it if you want," Nieza said flatly. She looked sleepy.
"Thank you for the uniform. But I'm surprised you're giving me written notes about Mr. Zia. I thought we'd discuss it tomorrow," Kira replied.
"…No. It's better to give you something written about what I know than to explain it over and over again. We'll continue the discussion tomorrow. Remember your duty. This time, you're my personal bodyguard."
"…Yeah, I know. I'll do what I can to protect you."
"…I can't believe I have to hear words like that right before going to bed…"
"Why?" Kira asked.
"It's nothing. Good night, Kira," Nieza said, turning and walking back to her room.
"Alright…"
As Kira was about to close his door, he noticed several of Nieza's other bodyguards watching him. To them, his presence clearly looked like a threat. Letting out a quiet sigh, Kira closed the door, put away his new uniform, and began reading Nieza's notes.
The Rose
Though you are full of thorns, you are so beautiful.
So beautiful that the bees long to dwell upon your magnificent crown.
So beautiful that you make me forget the cruelty of the world.
So beautiful that I finally realize—
You are my goal.
…And also the goal of those who hate you.
I will protect you.
Protect you, even if my life is the price.
I love you,
Even if that love provokes the wrath of those parasites…
It took Kira only ten minutes to grasp the contents of Nieza's notes about Mr. Zia. His conclusion was simple: it read like the diary of a teenage girl who had fallen in love with her schoolteacher. He couldn't understand why Nieza would give him something like this.
"Aigis… you can hear me, right?" Kira asked.
"Yes, Sir Kira. What is it?" Aigis replied.
"Is it normal for a woman to share the secrets of her feelings with someone?" Kira asked.
"I believe they only do that with their closest companions," Aigis answered plainly.
"…Your answer just adds to my growing confusion about women," Kira muttered. "I guess I'll continue this tomorrow. Aigis, let me know if Konets Sveta appears, alright? Good night."
"Understood, Sir Kira. Good night."
*
"KIRA! KIRA!" Nieza shouted as she banged loudly on the door to Kira's room.
Kira jolted awake in shock and immediately sprang out of bed. The clock showed 7:00 a.m. What had happened? Was Nieza in danger? Without thinking twice, Kira rushed to the door and flung it open.
"Yes, Nieza?! What's wrong?!" Kira asked seriously.
The situation was extremely strange. Nieza's face was flushed as she stared at him. She was still wearing her sleepwear. Nieza's bodyguards looked just as confused as Kira.
"Y-You read th-that notebook…?" Nieza stammered.
"…About Mr. Zia, right?" Kira replied.
"NO! YOU READ IT!!! NOOO!!!" Nieza screamed as she began lightly pounding her fists against Kira.
"Hey, wait a second! Nieza! Ouch! I-I did find it kind of strange when I read it too. Hey!" Kira said, trying to block her blows.
"NOOO! YOU IDIOT, KIRAAA! VESELY, FORGIVE MEEEEE!!!" Nieza cried out in panic.
"Vesely? I don't understand… calm down. This isn't that important, right…?" Kira said cautiously.
"Not important… you say…?" Nieza asked slowly.
"Well… I don't know what kind of feelings you were trying to express in that poem, but as long as it's not related to our case, I don't think it's a problem."
"…Kira. Are you saying my feelings aren't important…?" Nieza asked quietly, glaring at him with unmistakable hatred.
"Uh… um… I mean… it's just not a priority right now, so you don't need to worry about it and—" Kira faltered under Nieza's sharp gaze.
"I HATE YOU!" Nieza shouted as she kicked Kira straight in the groin.
"UAGH!!!"
Kira's scream of pain echoed pitifully through the hallway. Even Nieza's bodyguards, who had been about to attack him, couldn't bring themselves to act after seeing him collapse in agony.
Nieza immediately turned and stormed back to her room.
"Get yourself ready to leave for Neopjevan at 8:00 sharp, Kira! There will be no mercy if you make me even a second late!" Nieza shouted.
On that bright morning, Kira had to begin his day clutching his groin in pain.
"Aigis… what did I do wrong…?" Kira asked weakly.
"Perhaps you should obtain that answer directly from Lady Nieza, sir." Aigis replied flatly.