"Shut up." Even I was shocked when I uttered those words the first time.
Manami paused for a second before organizing herself and leaned forward, "I…I'm sorry if I offended you."
"Just stop." I set my dark eyes on her. "I don't need you trying to comfort me."
"But what can I do? You were knocked out the entire time and–"
"I already told you I'm fine." I snapped.
"Is having your face hollowed out and those deep dark circles under your eyes no basis for concern? You look like a skeleton."
"Are we going down low enough to assume things based on our appearances? Well they way you're putting on that posh makeup and nice clothes, you must clearly have had no problems recently. Your trek in the dream realm must've been like a vacation, am I right?"
Manami glared at me, the first time I've seen her angry. "...Am I so wrong to try and help someone? This party was under my jurisdiction, and as your host, I have a responsibility to take care of the people here."
"Then stop treating me like your common party goer or close friend, this is the first time we've even had a proper conversation for spell's sake." I clenched my jaw. What was she going on and on about?
"Yeah, and that's how you make friends." The turbulent emotions on her face receded under a calm exterior.
Friends? Was that what this whole thing was about? She wanted to be friends with me, no–she wanted to help me make friends? Was this kindergarten?
Manami took a second to talk again, "Vincent, again, you don't look good at all. I can tell you've been through a lot and it worried me that you barely talked to anyone at the party or even tried eating anything. I can tell you're worried about your friends, but we can't do anything about that as long as they're in the dream realm. But when they come back, they shouldn't be struck by the sight of you looking so sad."
Manami put a hand on the table, some form of persuasion but I was thinking of something else.
The blue-eyed girl smiled softly, "So take your mind off it by talking to more people. Make a few friends or it can just be you and me, I'm fine with catching up with you every now and then when you need someone to talk to. I don't know what happened, but I'm willing to be with you every step of the way."
When I looked into her eyes under the moonlight, I realized something.
"So…you're trying to save me?" I said under a shallow breath.
Manami seemed taken aback but nodded, "I wouldn't call it something so grand as that, but I'm trying to help you."
I looked at her then moved my gaze to my hands on my lap, hidden in her view. I fidgeted with them, trying to craft my next response.
"I'm happy that you're extending so much grace, but I don't think I can play along with your savior complex."
"I'm admit i'm going farther than a normal person but I'm simply trying to help a fellow sleeper–"
She stopped when she looked at my trembling figure. I couldn't stop myself from shivering under an invisible chill that embraced every vein in my body, fear plaguing my mind.
"You can't do anything…you can't do anything." I said, my voice oddly even despite my unnerved state. It was so easy to say yet so terrifying to realize.
I can't do anything.
I…
Emotions overwhelmed me and I got up, heading quickly to the glass door of the restaurant.
Manami didn't get up or follow me or call me out–what was I thinking? A fantasy like that didn't exist, a timeline where a girl would go so far to help someone who looked as disheveled and crazy as me. It was ludicrous.
Yet, when I reached the door and my hand hovered above the handle, I couldn't help but look back one last time.
"...Do you know the process of making Jincan?"
…
It was cold at night in WQSC.
It wasn't the oppressive cold like in NQSC, but the frigid winds got under my skin regardless. I almost confused the stinging wind with Orochi who grabbed one of my arms.
I looked back at him, a blank smile on my face. "Oh sorry, I got lost."
"I wouldn't care as long as you didn't circle our hotel multiple times. You were taunting me, you brat."
I felt cold, weathered fingers on my face, the tips of those old fingers turning into sharp claws. They nipped into my skin.
"I wouldn't dream of it." I was ready to have my face ripped off so it came as a surprise when Orochi reeled back his hand. His face and figure were still morphed into mine, creating an abhorrent mirror for me.
Orochi frowned, his old bronze skin wrinkling under his age. "Lucius might like your little rebellious attitude at times, but I don't. I deserve some form of respect as your personal guide in this forsaken mission."
Wow, did he want some applause? The only thing stopping me from clapping at that moment was that there would be a mess as a result. I'm sure the citizens of WQSC wouldn't want to wake up to their streets painted in my blood.
I was losing my patience now anyway. Under Orochi's malicious glare, I pulled out an envelope. It was sealed with a wax stamp, depicting a raven encircling a heart.
"Let's get this over with–we're getting me the recommendation test tomorrow at the government facility." I raised the stamped envelope up, "Isn't that what this envelope is for?" After exhibiting it to his face, it slipped it back into my jacket pocket and turned around to where our hotel was. "It's getting late, I have to save a third of the government forces tomorrow."
"...You remember your oath, don't you?" Orochi said under his breath after retreating back. I froze on the spot, my foot above the ground. We spoke simultaneously.
"Death to all who try to untie the leash around your neck, for you are personal property to a greater destiny." Orochi grinned.
Grand words which are diluted to mean "slave."
This was the devil's contract. The one binding me to this hell.