“Hey! Cien!”
“...How did it go?”
“Not even saying hi?”
“...”
“C’mon, I didn’t even get a scratch, you really need to train them harder.”
“...I was worried, you know?”
“Of what? Haha, those four won’t stand a chance even together, anyway, how were your exams?”
“Not bad, got 2nd place… are you making fun of me again?”
“Pfft, no way~.”
*Hit*
“You definitely are. Don’t think so highly of yourself, I’m gonna be your boss soon, you know?”
“The guild, right?”
“Yes, I still don’t agree that I’m the leader, but putting you in that seat guarantees failure, so I will sacrifice a bit of myself for the greater good.”
“Oi! I’m not that bad at management!”
“How often were you in a team through those 5 years?”
“...That’s not because I’m bad at management.”
“...”
“Don’t give me that look!”
“Pfft! Hahaha! You sure have a funny face when you’re frustrated!”
“...It doesn’t have face tracking?”
“Sorry?”
“Nah, nothing. How about we go on a date to celebrate the graduation?”
“...and then on another to celebrate the guild establishment?”
“Only if you choose where to, you know I take a long time picking one.”
“...your locations suck anyway.”
“Excuse me?”
“Pfft! Nothing! Let’s go M|[-@:_!”
.
.
.
That dream again.
A fleeting one.
Usually dreams don’t fade that quickly for me.
I wish I remembered.
But the only thing that remains from that dream is as usual.
This foreign feeling that I’m chasing.
I think it’s love.
…but there’s no one who’s worthy to even try and fall in love.
Ah…
Life won’t end just because I can’t find a lover.
It’s fine.
There are more pressing matters.
My family expects results even if they don’t show it.
…Let’s put on makeup today.
.
.
.
*Michael’s PoV*
It’s been two weeks since I transmigrated.
Life’s been good.
I started enjoying training.
Attending the academy wasn’t as bad as I thought, especially the practical lessons.
My everyday interactions with Cien were quite annoying… but not something I can’t manage.
Relationship with Lilian was actually progressing well… compared to Cien.
She has still not said a word to me, but I’m sure she’s at least listening to my stories.
Switching plates with her became a ritual, so she doesn’t even bat an eye anymore.
And poison hasn’t been acting up in any way.
I almost fully cleared the Novice Tower.
Got just 2 more scars.
My luck wasn’t great though…
Only one good thing dropped.
The Bag of Hol… I mean [Storeroom in a Pocket] or [Pocket] for short.
Community names are good for a reason, it basically works as one.
The [Pocket] is a common drop from the Novice Tower, but I got a bit lucky and received one with 10 cubic meters of storage. This one is bad for food, but at least it reduces the weight to just 1% of what’s inside.
As of lately I’m a bit short on money, so I’ll need to look into ways to sell all of my other loot without catching cult’s attention.
But…
The best thing that has happened to me in this world yet… I tricked Ophelia into going on a date!
Say what you will, but it’s not just my selfish desires, I need to have a good relationship with Ophelia to save her…
Today in the evening we will go shopping together for the orphanage.
Nothing grand, but it’s a beginning.
Phew.
But school first.
.
.
Professor Normand stepped onto the field.
“Class! Quiet!”
Kids are usually lively during practice lessons.
“Today’s class will be a bit different. As you might know, tomorrow is your mock exam. That is why I have prepared a special lesson today. Your theory professor, professor Marisse, will be helping with today’s lesson.”
Oh, I remember this event.
The second year is all about getting hands-on experience, so this is the first time one can show his talent as a Hunter.
Normand waved his hand, and soon, assistants started coming out from behind the academy building, pushing some covered cages.
“Today will be your first time fighting against actual monsters.”
This sentence put fear into the eyes of the students.
It became loud with all the students whispering among themselves.
“Monsters?”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“I heard that the second year is when death is a possibility.”
“D-Do we really have to fight with d-demons?”
The last one was overheard by Normand, and it struck his nerve.
“Demons!? You imbeciles! Marisse, how are you teaching them!? What is the difference between Demons and Monsters!? Roland!!”
Why is my name screamed out the loudest?
…not just students dislike Roland.
“Monsters are a failed attempt of demons to create more subjects for themselves. They possess intelligence akin to regular animals, but with enhanced strength or other mutations and abilities.”
“...And?”
“...Demons threw them away, because of their aggressive behavior, so they are highly dangerous.”
“Territorial too, good. That’s why it is important to know everything about each species of Monsters. Nay, every known Fiend. So that you can survive when met with one!”
Fiends are just a broad term for all the enemies of mankind.
…He was a drill instructor for the church…
“You will be fighting some Red Wolves. An easy target even for rookies like you!”
Red Wolves are regular wolves except stronger and more aggressive… and red.
“We will start from the 1st in the ranking and proceed until everyone fights and kills his enemy! No failures allowed!”
It seems Cien is first.
Normand looked at her, and she walked toward the field that would serve as an arena.
Standing there she was so graceful… annoying.
I get a small headache whenever I look at her.
Her weapon of choice is a rapier.
Although, she can fight fine without her, her magi-, I mean spells... no damn it, I mean incantations are her true strength.
...I've never done that mistake when speaking to people, and I never will... hopefully.
.
The assistant unveiled the cage.
[Red Wolf]
It’s an enemy that can kill a lot of newbies.
And this one… Saliva was dripping from his mouth.
It’s starved.
Less dangerous, as the attack pattern changes.
The fact that it’s alone makes it far easier, as they tend to work in a pack.
Their teamwork is A rank on my tier list.
It’s still one of the easiest enemies though.
All you need to do is overpower them after all.
You can’t do that with most enemies in the game.
“Open the cage.”
And the fight began.
The wolf was fast, Cien’s rapier was faster.
She clearly knows it’s behavior.
The wolf jumped.
Two quick stabs with a dodge to the right.
Its leg was hurt, now it’s slower.
A bit of fear on its face.
Cien went on the offensive.
Lunge, stab.
She missed its vital spots.
But now it’s bleeding.
Despite the pain, the dog lunges.
Cien reacts well, her legs swift, she dodges again.
It seemed more like a performance with a bull.
Cien continued this loop, while striking the wolf when opportunity arose.
Just like that, the fight was over.
“57 seconds. Great score. Next.”
Cien performed well, but was clearly underperforming.
At least in my eyes.
But, I'll give her some credit, she didn't use any incantations after all.
.
Lilian is next.
Just like Cien, her enemy was a starved Red Wolf.
“Begin.”
The same pattern.
Lilian’s weapon is dual daggers.
Quite fitting.
She was wearing her usual unamused expression.
When the dog jumped, her hand twitched.
…
But she dodged and didn’t even strike, making it seem like a close call.
.
I noticed that.
She almost instinctively cut it in half.
…her Power Level is in three digit numbers.
Quite a powerhouse she is.
Though her story makes you feel not awe… but pity.
This act continued for…
“1 minute even. Good, good. Next.”
My turn.
This one should be easy.
I need to hold on for 1 minute at least though.
I went to the arena, and the veil was lifted.
The wolf was… different?
“Hey! Why is this one fed?!”
“I-I don’t know?”
“...Maybe he ate some rats?”
“You all will get an earful from me! Expect a talk with the principal as well!”
“Eek! S-Sorry sir! I will get another one right away!”
“...Wait.”
Normand looked at me… I don’t like his look.
“No need. Proceed.”
And they soon opened the cage.
…I will remember this.
The wolf didn’t rush straight at me.
It carefully stepped out of its cage.
Usually it’s hard to tell… but this one is clearly the alpha of its pack.
The wolf was taking slow steps, observing me.
I was in a stance with my spear pointing forward.
It took its time. Slowly making its way to me.
.
When…
.
It lunges.
I could kill it, just like Lilian could.
But it’s not time yet.
I step back, swing my spear with its blunt side, hitting the dog hard.
It ignores the damage, finds the balance and lunges again.
Repeat.
This time it twisted its body to avoid my blow.
I barely dodge.
Even though the creature is not human. I can tell it’s grinning.
As if saying “Next one won’t miss.”
I haven’t fought a creature this intelligent in this world yet.
But I guess this is enough.
I exit my stance, placing my spear on the ground, its head pointing up.
It goes for my leg, letting out a happy growl.
Right before it bites, I cut its head off.
The field is silent.
“...lunatic.”
Need to keep that image.
“1 minute 15 seconds. Could’ve been better.”
My ass.
I just stood there for a minute.
.
There wasn’t anything interesting after that.
…but I decided to stay a bit.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
After our class was done, it was the turn of other classes.
There was someone I was curious about.
I didn’t have an opportunity to observe her so freely before.
But this is a good chance.
…The player.
She’s in class C.
I heard she actually went up a grade.
Luciel.
Someone I have no information on.
…She looks like my ex.
Has the same vibes at least… of a crazy woman.
I already don’t like her.
It’s weird to see the player be a woman.
…It was a male-oriented game with two heroines.
There were too many difficulties when you chose your gender to be a girl.
Oh, her turn.
.
.
That was boring.
She did hide her strength, but she’s clearly inexperienced.
Not a threat to me… but still a variable.
Well, not that I’m gonna do anything about her.
…As long as she isn’t ruining my plans.
.
.
“Oi Roland!”
On my way to the cafeteria, I was stopped by one of the assistants.
His face was… familiar.
“Did you like our present?”
“Sorry?”
“Don’t feign ignorance now… Or did you already forget about us?”
“Who…”
This is Derek Firecross… older brother of Cien.
Why is he here?
“Yeah, yeah, long time no see. Come behind the 3rd year building as usual… Less running this year, you glad? Hahaha!”
And he left…
What was that about?
.
.
As per usual, I ate with Lilian while telling her a story. This time I started retelling her the Little Prince… didn’t finish it, but nevertheless.
After that, I had a class, and usually around this time I would go mess with Cien… but I decided to skip today.
I went to the location Derek told me about.
And there they were.
Four brothers of Cien.
Dante, Derek, Deren and Drew.
…
Weird people.
Pretty strong, useful… and overprotective of their sister.
You had to fight them to get their recognition when pursuing Cien in-game.
…except that happens in the 5th year.
“Hoho~, he’s here Derek.”
“Just on time, as I told you Deren.”
They soon started… warming up?
“Who goes first?”
Derek looked at Dante, the oldest among them. He’s in the 5th year.
“You go. But you know the rules.”
“Right, Right. Hit him just a few times, so that others can have their fun.”
Dante immediately hit Derek with enough force to bring him to the ground and make a dent.
…You can’t tell the strength of someone from their looks… Dante even wears glasses.
“No, you fucking sadist, it’s to teach him some manners.”
“Rhitght, *Spit*. Sorry.”
“...When is my turn?”
I have no fucking clue what’s going on.
“You’re the last today, you start next week.”
Next week??
And he simply nods??
.
.
From what I understand, this has happened before.
Considering how openly Roland courted Cien, it’s impossible for her brothers not to know about it.
…and they decided to ask Roland to stop.
In their own way.
The family of Firecross is a bunch of nutjobs.
The strongest martial arts family.
Yet, Cien is not fit for unarmed combat.
All of her brothers are not just knuckleheads, but sadists at that.
…and Roland was asked to stop pestering Cien by those maniacs.
He must’ve declined.
And then began the era of teaching junior some manners…
Or just a beatdown, if you’d like.
…I now understand why he has [Pain Tolerance]: C.
Maybe even Roland’s trait [Unarmed Combat]: D came from this?
…
I start to pity him a bit.
“Oi, no spacing out during sparring.”
Derek rushed at me with speed I have yet to experience.
He threw a punch at my liver.
…I blocked it.
“Huh?”
It’s not my first time experiencing close quarter combat.
After all, my [Unarmed Combat] was C rank.
“You ranked up? I’m surprised Roland.”
That was rather sarcastic.
Ranking was not something only players used.
The System itself exists in this world, though it’s called differently… God’s Voice, I think?
It is highly private information though, and it’s practically impossible to get your stats without your permission. Nor do people often ask for it, not even in the academy.
But some public figures don’t hide their Status Window.
Like their father.
The head of the Firecross family, as well as one of the strongest people alive.
And his [Unarmed Combat] is A+ rank.
His son’s all have ranks from C- to C+, with only Dante having B-.
Derek here should be on my level.
…I’m not going to just take the beating.
.
.
.
“As usual huh?”
I was lying on the ground.
“And here I thought he would finally do something.”
Why did I lose?
“He improved, that is certain.”
They didn’t gank up on me.
“So, Roland?”
Was it my lack of practice? My lack of strength?
“Oi! Are you dead?”
*Kick*
*Cough*
Blood…
“That was unnecessary Drew.”
My whole body hurts.
I didn’t get as beaten even in the tower…
“...I was just checking…”
So… why?
“Roland. Will your answer change?”
…
It must be about Cien…
“No…”
I will die if I try to stop…
The cult will kill me.
“That determination is commendable. Meet us here after a week. Same time.”
“Don’t even think about running away, Hoho~.”
.
.
And they left.
While I was lying on the ground… defeated.
A mere hour.
A mere hour to get me to this state.
I stood up.
Me and Ophelia should meet in 3 hours.
I went to my room and changed.
Then I left to train.
I need to train.
I’m weak.
.
.
I trained mindlessly.
This place helped me get my thoughts together.
And I also came to hate those brothers a bit less.
[Pain Tolerance]: C+ (↑)
…But just a bit.
Aren't I leveling up a bit too fast?
.
.
I wasn’t at just any old forest outside the city.
This spot was her favorite…
Will be, I guess.
It has a beautiful view of some mountains, as well as a part of the city.
That’s not the only reason I train here though.
This is one of the locations for a random event in the game.
A very useful random event for me, who uses a spear.
It’s an encounter with a Hero. A forgotten, old Hero.
One of the only humans who has an S rank trait.
[Spearmanship]
But it’s not like he’ll just help me.
I would need to meet him at least a few times.
Players usually didn’t bother with him.
He was cursed.
His curse… It’s a curse that makes anyone forget him.
Xabi Myosoti.
In game it worked by simply removing the free input option once you started a conversation with him.
That was something players disliked a lot, but it happened very rarely throughout the whole game, so most just came to terms with it.
... Not me.
I was too invested in the story of Xabi.
My stream was the first to ever show the “hidden” 7th encounter in which you could actually fight him… I didn’t enjoy it.
But the reward was worth it.
In it was a diary that documented his whole life.
A last ditch effort to not be left forgotten…
But it would never work, as even the main character upon inspecting the book says that it is merely a “fictional” story.
Only the player, as an observer, can understand.
.
.
Only I can.
.
.
I have no clue if his curse will work on me or not… It always was a mystery even in the game.
But I hope if I do meet him… that he will help.
He’s probably the only person in this world I consider to be a Hero.
…though there’s about 20 with that title wandering around.
.
.
I need to go.
.
.
.
“Why are you so late? Dear Heavens! What happened to your face!?”
I wasn’t as proficient at makeup as some in my “otherworldly” family.
I couldn’t hide it.
“We will soon have mock exams, they made us spar with a bit more force.”
I smiled, trying to reassure her.
“But who goes this far!?”
“Let’s say that… I’m not the most loved person at the Academy.“
“...are you bullied?”
More like I’m the bully who got what he deserved.
“I would rather not talk about it.”
“...”
“So? What do we need to buy?”
.
.
We went shopping, but it was too anticlimactic for the first date.
Ophelia also clearly didn’t like it… She hurried just to get it over with…
…I will definitely beat at least Drew next week.
.
I helped Ophelia bring everything back to the orphanage.
Children were happy to see us with toys.
Though it was hard to give everyone one, so that others weren’t jealous, especially Janice… She wanted everything to herself.
Michael Junior actually gave her his toy.
How cute.
“Yeah they’re cute.”
“D-Don’t scare me like that.“
She does that too often.
“Hehe. You are too easy to scare!”
…no i’m not.
“Seeing you smile like that, it was worth it to lose out on some deals to get here faster. Are you feeling better?”
Ah… I misunderstood…
“Ophelia is an angel…”
Hm?
“W-What?”
I-I didn’t mean to say that out loud!
“Y-Yes, I’m fine now. *Cough*”
I now understand what Brother meant when he said that his biggest enemy was his own mouth.
“...I’m glad.”
…
I want to have an actual date with her.
“Are you busy?”
“Sorry? Like, right now?”
“Yes.”
“I guess we did what I wanted to do, and I already played with the kids today, so… I guess no, why?”
Let’s take out an ace.
“Do you mind going somewhere with me?”
“N-No? Is it far?”
“A bit, yes. It’ll take us about an hour.”
Her leg is hurt, so she can’t run.
“Hmm… Well, it’s been a while since I was on a walk. Sure.”
I smiled.
I won’t mess this up as well.
.
.
The walk to the spot was decent.
The nature was beautiful and we had some small talk.
“Wow…”
“I knew you’d like it.”
Literally.
“This is…How did you even find it?”
The way here isn’t hard, just a bit hidden.
“I just… Someone showed me.”
The first rule.
I should break it only when absolutely necessary.
“Really? You have friends other than me?”
She showed me a playful smile.
“No. He’s just someone I look up to. I doubt he even knows my name.”
But… Friends huh…
That has a pleasant ring to it.
“...”
“Hey, don’t be like that, it’s not like I never had friends.”
“And now?”
“Well… Some things had happened and I had to move away from them. It happened a while ago.”
“...I can listen.”
Huh?
“Heh. Only if you tell me about yourself first.”
She should know well that our relationship is not there yet.
It’s simply too soon.
“...”
As expected.
Instead of answering she went to a nearby rock.
It was a big rock that has an even better view if you sit on the top.
And that was just what she did.
She then looked at me, inviting me to sit with her.
I didn’t decline.
“The view is indeed beautiful.”
“Yeah…”
This atmosphere made me momentarily forget about all my problems.
There was no need for words…
But Ophelia thought differently.
“I was a knight before.”
“Sorry?”
“Hard to believe? I retired due to my leg, I’m sure you noticed.”
Is she… actually telling me about herself?
Why?
She usually takes a while before telling anything.
Especially considering how much she tries to hide from her family…
“But that wasn’t the actual reason…”
?
You…
“Women in the army are in the minority, and I was a person of the church at that. A daughter of the acting head inquisitor, hard to fit in.”
What!? What!?
I stood up from the shock.
“Sit down, it’s not even half of it.”
I did.
But!
Why!?
This is something you hear at least after a year of active dating!
I don’t understand!
“I’m sure even you heard about the nickname Heretic Knight.”
I know everything about you!
Of course I know!
But why are you telling me this!?
Why trust me this much!?
What did I do to deserve this!?
“My mom tried hard to get me back, to try and make me an inquisitor, but I can be quite stubborn~.”
“…”
“I didn’t agree with her views, so I became a knight for some random Duke, at that time I thought he wasn’t in cahoots with the church.”
“...”
“And he wasn’t, at least for a while. I did suffer a bit from the whole Heretic Knight spiel my mom put on me to dishonor me.”
“...”
“But that didn’t stop me from doing what I thought was right. And climbing ranks while at it.”
“...”
“I ignored the ridicule, the mindless rumors, and especially the annoying seniors. Haa~, I don’t even want to remember them.”
“...”
“One day I found out something I wasn’t supposed to though… The Duke wasn’t as good as I thought, sacrificing innocent people when he would lose profit… I lashed out… publicly. Of course it got swept under the rug immediately.”
“...”
“Then it’s what you’d expect. I got sold out immediately, they even put some stupid crime on me. They used the nickname Heretic Knight to paint me as an actual heretic… and soon enough… My mother herself sent inquisitors to capture me.”
“...”
“I was furious. There was no way I would go without a fight. So I fought. My leg is the result of that fight. But I couldn’t win, instead, I pathetically escaped.”
“...”
.
.
The Third Rule, huh…
.
“That was five years ago. I was living here, tending to flowers, helping children… Oh, my name is indeed Ophelia.”
“Ophelia Rosenkreuz.”
“Ophelia Rosen… Oh… you knew?”
“Yes.”
“...were you… sent…”
There was a note of despair in her voice.
“Do I look like an inquisitor?”
“You… you are a bit too weak.”
“That hurts.”
“Pfft… Fine, fine, but how? My surname is not public knowledge.”
“By chance… or maybe fate?”
“That’s not an answer though?”
First rule.
“I can’t tell you, but there is something I can.”
“What is it?”
“I like you.”
“Huh? HUH!?”
“You won’t know, but I met you before. I know a lot more about you than you think.”
“Y-You… you… but it’s only been two weeks?”
“Pfft! Ahahaha! Are you the one to tell me that? Do you know how much you just shared?”
“...Everything?”
“Hah, yeah, see? Who does that to someone they knew for just two weeks?”
“...but you started it though?”
“Huh?”
“You already told me… your entire life story, right?”
“That… that did happen.”
“...that wasn’t a lie, was it?”
Why are you so passive-aggressive all out of sudden?
“I won’t lie to you anymore.”
About nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
That way I can reach the Third Rule.
“So you lied to me before?”
“A few times, but not a lot.”
“...”
“Fine, fine! I lied about my age.”
“Hm? Then you’re not 19?”
“Technically no.”
“How old are you?”
“...I'd rather not tell…”
“How. Old. Are. You?”
“Jesus! I’m 35!”
“Who’s Jesus? WHAT!? 35!? How in hell are you older than me!?”
“Don’t scream! This is why I said I’d rather not tell!”
She leaned closer to me.
“W-What are you doing?”
She pinched my cheek.
“Is this a mask?”
“N-No! L-Let go, it’s complicated!”
“Are you a saint then? I know they don’t age.”
“How am I a saint!?”
“No?”
“...I can’t tell you how I became like this, okay?”
“...Don’t you attend the Academy?”
“...Don’t… Just don’t… I’m not proud of that…”
“...”
For a minute, there was an awkward silence.
…
Should I have stayed quiet?
“Pfft! Ahahaha, a 35 year old is getting bullied at school! Ahahaha!”
“Huh?! Are you seriously making fun of me!?”
“Ahahahaha!!”
…She’s about to fall from the rock.
*Thump*
“Ouch!”
“Pffft.”
“Don’t laugh!”
“Ahahaha!”
“Pffft! Ahahaha”
.
.
“Roland.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you really like me?”
“Yeah.”
“No takesies-backsies?”
“No, why are you acting like a child?”
“You are a child though?”
“Shut up.”
“...Pfft.”
“No more laughing, my sides hurt.”
“...”
I’m glad I did this.
The sun is setting.
“Roland… I was brought up in a harsh environment… and around you… I just felt free, I felt as if you’d understand… This is a first for me.”
“Yeah, I know, I had it harder, and it’s not a first for me.”
“...You’re not gonna tell?”
I see any sort of formality is over between us.
I like it.
“Nope. Not yet at least.”
“Why?”
“Because this cursed world won’t allow me.”
And I’m scared.
The term “other world” can only mean one thing for you, as well as all others.
Hell.
Only demons come from another world.
It was the same in game.
It wasn’t just Ophelia who I romanced in the game.
The moment you try to tell someone about any knowledge about the previous world of mine… it’s game over.
Not just for the relationship.
You will be hunted and killed.
That’s not something you can say.
At all.
“So I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“That you’ll see me as someone else, someone evil.”
“I won’t, like, you didn’t kill anyone, did you?”
“I did.”
“Huh?”
“Not just one.”
“...many?”
“No. A few.”
“Did… Did they deserve it?”
“Yes. One of those bastards experimented on children, another hunted people like animals, but… there was one I didn’t even see the face of, it was self defense.”
“...”
“I did however help some bad people, especially my Brother. He’s like… a ruler. Never killing himself, but his orders killed millions.”
“...Is he from the church?”
“...no.”
“...Cult?”
“No. You won’t know, neither can I tell you… but… He saved far more than he killed. Billions, no he saved the world multiple times over.”
“Then… a Hero?”
“Pffft! If he were to hear it, Haha! He would torment you for weeks!”
“...You were… with them?”
“Yeah. I don’t wanna brag, but I even saved the world once by myself.”
“...For real?”
“Hehe.”
“...If you can tell me so much… why not everything.”
“I can tell you a lot, sure. But I can’t tell you a lot as well, like who they were, where I’m from, even who I truly am… it’s annoying.”
“...Did they… die?”
“I… Most likely, at the very least, I can’t meet them anymore.”
.
.
“...They sound like good people.”
“They were. To take a kid like me in, and waste all that time on me… Yeah.”
“...”
.
.
“Ophelia.”
“Mhm~?”
“Let’s go on a date.”
“H-Huh? S-Sure?”
“How about your garden tomorrow evening?”
“...In _my garden? How is that a date?”
She looks grumpy.
“Didn’t you want to redecorate it? I know my way around the garden, don’t worry?”
*Hit*
“...stalker…”
“Ouch.”
I smiled.
.
There was one thing I heard from one of my sisters.
“Little Michael, telling whether a woman has affection for you is easy! If they touch you in a playful way… That’s your answer! Oh, but don’t confuse that with love. Love is a bit too complicated for you, here, have a candy.”
…I was 22 at that time.
.
.
It was a good evening.
It seems that the Second Rule is going smoothly.
Even though everything happened so abruptly, I’m glad.
I had friends aside from family in my previous life.
But I could never have shared my life within the Family with them.
This was a first.
Now…
I will need to try hard with the Third Rule.
…
To like, is not to love.
And the Third Rule is…
To finally fall in love myself.
.
.
.
*Knock* *Knock-Knock*
Who is it so late at night?
“Ye-”
Fuck.
It’s the code of the cult.
I need to get my stuff.
