"Sir, we are here…"
Bam!
I left Marcus behind in the car and rushed to the restroom. Everything else could wait—these demons needed to be exorcised now.
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{Katelyn's POV}
"W-What is he doing?!" I made my way over to Marcus, who looked just as confused as I was.
He stared at me through the window. "I-I don't know what just happened."
"The doctor told him not to do anything stressful…" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, tight with restrained anger. My fingers curled into my sleeves, knuckles whitening as the words left my lips. Eiz was definitely going to hear an earful from me. My pulse ticked faster just thinking about it.
I stepped into his home, slipped my shoes off to the side, and waited in the living room. Last time I came here, I hadn't really paid attention to the place. The warm lighting and subtle decorations gave it a homey feel so different from most places I'd been. Usually, it was either plain or obnoxiously over-decorated with expensive stuff. But this? This had soul.
'I-I kind of…' Before I could finish the thought, my feet moved on their own—up the spiral stairs and onto the next floor. Each room had a sign. The first two doors in front of me were labeled for Cain and Euphi.
'Hehe, I hope those two are having fun!' To the left was their mom's room. That left only one room remaining—the only one left with a label, at least. There were so many rooms here, this would've taken forever without labels.
At the far-right end of the hallway, I found where my curiosity—and maybe something else—wanted to go.
"His room." I lifted my hand toward the handle but stopped just before touching it.
'W-What if he gets mad, Kate!?' I panicked. I was totally psyching myself out. I doubted he'd be upset—but assuming that was selfish. This was his private space, and barging in would be wrong.
"You can go in."
"AHHHH!"
Pah~!
"O-Ow… My bad, but you weren't responding."
'Eiz?!'
"ARE YOU OKAY?! I'm so sorry!" I grabbed his face and looked at the spot I slapped. A red handprint was clearly imprinted on his cheek.
He laughed a little. "It's okay. You were scared. No problem at all."
"Phew~ S-Sorry, I was curious and wanted to ask—" I couldn't even look him in the eyes. I felt so ashamed.
"Hah~" His sigh didn't make me feel any better but then I heard a click that pulled my attention.
Click~
"Come in! You can have the bed. I'll sit in my chair."
'Huh?'
"What?"
"You're letting me in that easily?"
He looked at me, dumbfounded.
"You're already in my house. What's a room compared to that?"
"Technically, it's your mom's house."
"…" He didn't say anything and just walked further into his room.
I covered my mouth and laughed quietly. I really didn't need to say that—but he was being too cocky! I couldn't be the only one embarrassed here.
'I'm so petty.' Following after him, I entered his room. It looked exactly like I expected—modern and minimalist, something that screamed efficiency over comfort.
"Do you plan on doing anything with your room?" I asked. If he did, I wanted to help. It sounded fun!
Eiz looked around and shook his head. "I think I'm going to move out."
"Why?" I hadn't known him long, but it sounded sudden. When I came over the other day, his family didn't seem to know. He could've kept it from them, but he didn't seem like the type, especially not with his mom. She definitely would've known.
"I…" He paused, scratched his cheek, and stared down at the marble floor. "After this experience with Alice, I feel like it's time to get my own space."
"D-Does she mean that much to you?" His words hurt. I knew why. I just didn't want to admit it. I hated how much that another girl still affected him.
"Not as much as you. But I think I need my own place so I can be alone. Reflect by myself, for myself. Take the first step in this world and truly feel like I belong—instead of staying in my mom's shadow."
"What's wrong with that? She's your mom."
"There's nothing wrong with it. I love her, and I love Cain and Euphi too." He looked at me, and the silence said more than his words.
'Is he about to…?!'
"I'd love to have you on that list as well."
"Y-YES! Wait. Couldn't you have worded that better?!"
"Hahaha~, I mean I'm kind of nervous right now, so…"
I hadn't noticed, but his foot was tapping the ground fast, and he'd covered his face slightly. He couldn't hide the red in his cheeks, and his voice was shaky. But I was too distracted by his earlier words to notice right away.
"But still, why leave if you don't have a problem with them?"
"I… Kate. I haven't told my mom this, but I lost my memories a few days ago. Around the time we took that exam in class."
"Huh? WHY HAVEN'T YOU TOLD HER?!" I was furious. That's something you don't hide!
He looked at me. And in his eyes, I could see it all. The calm ocean that once pulled me in was turbulent now. He'd gathered the courage to say that—and I just yelled.
"Sorry."
He waved it off. "I just don't know how to tell her."
"Question: How did you even take the exam?"
He lifted his hands like he was surrendering. "I didn't lose all my memories. Just the ones that defined who I was. In a sense, I've become a new person."
I stared at him, covering my mouth, heart sinking. This was awful. Absolutely awful. I couldn't imagine the fear and anxiety that came with carrying something like that and still moving forward.
I didn't say a word. I just walked over and pulled him into a hug. His body twitched—yeah, it was sudden but I couldn't help it. I couldn't begin to understand what he was going through.
With him in my grasp, I asked, "Then… are your feelings for me...?"
He looked up, though it was kind of awkward. My breasts were in the way, and his head brushing against me tickled.
"My feelings aren't exactly love yet, but I want to get that far. So, I figured I'd seize the moment."
'Heheheheheh~'
I swayed side to side, forgetting I was still hugging him. I was just too happy. Sure, his feelings weren't quite there yet—but he wanted them to be. That's all that mattered for now.
"K-Kate!"
At some point, I'd pulled him in too deep, and now his face was getting the best blessing of its life.
I looked down and saw his eyes peering up into mine.
"You can stay there! I'm going back to Lala Land!"
"Aren't you always in Lala Land?"
"Shut it, or I'll remove you from my glorious peaks!"
Silence reigned after my declaration.
Heh. He couldn't reject the opportunity.
'A win for the stunningly beautiful me!'