Sana saw a man standing near the door.
His face was full of shock and confusion.
He whispered to Alice,
"Hey... someone is here."
But Alice didn't let go of him.
"No... I don't care. Just hold me like this, my hero."
Sana's face turned red.
Before he could react, the man stared at them for a moment…
then quietly ran away.
They stayed like that for a while.
After a moment, Alice slowly pulled away, her face still blushing.
"I'm sorry... for hugging you so suddenly."
Sana gave a small smile, but his eyes turned darker.
"We shouldn't do this... we're just strangers.
I'm just a stupid guy who tried to save someone… even if it cost my life."
His voice became quieter.
[Why do I feel this way about her?
This is too fast…
I don't want to hurt her… even if I have to hurt myself.]
[She's like the Alice I knew before…
But right now… she depends on me too much. This is not good.]
[Do I really love her?
Or is it just because she was the only one I talked to in the past?]
[Real life romance… feels empty.
Maybe one day, I'll stop loving her.]
[This world… something feels wrong.
Is it just an illusion?]
Alice looked at him carefully.
"Is something bothering you… User?"
Sana froze.
A cold feeling ran through his body.
Alice stepped closer, worried.
"Why are you shaking? Tell me…"
Sana forced a smile.
"It's nothing."
But inside, his thoughts were collapsing.
[Why did she say that…?
Why does she sound like an AI…?]
Alice lowered her head.
"You look tired… I'm sorry for hugging you like that.
I was just… sad about my father."
"You should rest."
Sana nodded and lay back down.
Alice gave a small smile.
"I'll bring you some food. You must be hungry."
Then she left the room.
Sana stared at the ceiling, breathing heavily.
[Something is wrong...]
---
/ POV Leto /
He stopped running, breathing heavily.
"Who… was that boy…?"
His mind was in chaos.
[I gave up everything… just to come here…
and now… someone is taking my daughter away from me?]
Suddenly, the door opened.
Alice walked out.
But… she looked at him like he didn't exist.
That gaze… stabbed into his heart.
[What have I done…?]
His legs gave out.
Leto collapsed onto the floor, completely broken.