Even if I become a child again, if I keep my memories, I'll still be the same person. The situation with Mama wouldn't change. I would still have the same awareness.
And if I return without memories, I'll just end up here again. Same questions. Same outcome.
"Even hypothetically, both cases are bad," he sighed.
"What hypothetically?" Flint and Kashime asked in sync.
Damn. I said that out loud.
Now I have to explain.
He stood there, his mind scrambling for an excuse.
Their gazes made him restless. While he struggled for an answer, an idea suddenly appeared.
"I forgot Kashime's coat in the kitchen," he said casually.
Neither of them looked convinced.
"I'm the one who wears it, and I don't remember leaving it there," Kashime replied.
"He's clearly lying," Flint added.
Alright. This might land… but she might slap me for what I'm about to say.
He took a breath.
"I was wearing it."
A pause.
No strong reaction.
"It wouldn't even fit you," Kashime said calmly.
What? She's fine with it?
Now he felt slightly stupid.
But the battle wasn't over yet.
"You know, that coat isn't even that good," he said with exaggerated disappointment.
"What? That's nonsense. Even Flint wore it." She pointed at Flint.
A faint blush crept onto Flint's face.
I did it. I redirected the conversation.
A quiet victory warmed Akarum inside.
I am a genius.
But I haave to push further to make sure the original topic never returns.
He placed his palm against his chest, a small grin forming.
"Still, that doesn't make it good, does it?" he continued.
"You just like saying bad things to get a reaction out of me. Classic five-year-old behavior," she teased.
"But he isn't five years old," Flint said, confused.
Perfect.
Akarum turned toward Flint with smug satisfaction.
"I didn't mean it literally. Stop being so logical," Kashime complained, leaning back in her chair.
"Anyway, tomorrow I have to go collect my wages."
A pause.
"Usually Mother…"
The moment she said mother instead of sister, both Akarum and Flint turned toward each other in silent shock. Neither of them asked about it.
"Used to take my wages," she continued quietly. "I didn't really need them. But she won't take them anymore. I know why."
Her voice dropped to quiet whispers. It was clear she had been feeling guilty about calling her mother "sister." The reasons could be many. Maybe she blamed herself. Maybe she believed calling her that was wrong now. Or maybe she thought it was the reason her mother would no longer talk to her.
"Why did your mother take your wages?" Akarum asked curiously.
"You never told me that," Flint added.
"I don't have to tell you everything. It's my life, isn't it?" she replied.
It sounded harsh, though she was really just trying to avoid the emotional direction the conversation might take.
"That's harsh," Akarum said before realizing he had spoken his thoughts aloud.
A pause.
Kashime didn't answer immediately.
"I know. I know. I know," she murmured to herself.
It's not like I have the right to invade her personal space.
Teasing is fine until it starts hurting someone. Then it stops being teasing. And sometimes I forget that.
He turned to go inside.
"Where are you going?" Kashime asked.
"To wear your coat. It looks… at least good on me." He didn't turn back this time.
"Fine. Just make sure you don't burn it or something," she warned calmly.
"I'll come too. I need to collect my wages as well," Flint said. "I'd like to go with you, if you're comfortable with that."
"Oh, I'd be pleased," Kashime replied immediately, her gaze shifting from Akarum to Flint.
Yushi walked through the circular hallway of the academy.
I passed the energy-sensing test. It wasn't that hard.
Mrs. Kiyo told me to go to the basement using the stairs nearby.
Because the academy was circular, it wasn't hard to find them. She stepped down carefully, scanning the area just in case there were warnings she had missed.
The deeper she went, the darker it became.
"How long is this ?"
She whispered, while going downstairs those seemed endless.
She kept moving though the stairs don't seem to reache an end.
After constantly moving, she seemed to get tired now.
Then suddenly she reached a massive underground area lit by lanterns. Children moved everywhere. Darkens. Lights. All together.
She stepped onto the floor.
I never knew the academy had a place this big.
No one paid attention to her.
Now where do I go? I don't know.
She moved forward, thinking about asking someone, though the thought made her nervous.
Should I ask someone? But who?
Her hands fidgeted as children walked past her in different directions.
They aren't even paying attention to me. How could they ignore the cutest girl on this ugly planet.
She stopped and looked around again. There was nothing decorative about the place. Just a massive open area with debris scattered around and lanterns lighting it.
Let's see where they're going. I'll follow someone.
She carefully followed a girl wearing a pink shirt. When the girl suddenly turned around, Yushi quickly pretended to look somewhere else.
After a while, the girl reached a door and went inside, closing it behind her.
Yushi slowly reached for the handle. Every possible bad outcome rushed through her mind.
Then she pushed the door open.
Her eyes widened instantly.
Her body froze.