My heart shatters on impact, realizing this isn't Haru—this isn't the person I love.
Just a clueless puppy… a lamb getting in the middle of gunfire.
"Who… are you?" I say, facing the man with glasses.
I feel the muscles in my face beginning to twitch, barely holding still.
"Who am I? That's a good question…" he smirks, dripping condescension.
Don't play games with me, you bitch—
The tugs on my cheeks yank harder and harder.
My hands tremble, betraying me as he steps closer.
"Everyone knows who I am… and you not knowing? That's a big problem."
He says it all with rotten sarcasm, his hands playing in the air while he speaks like he's doing some fucking magic trick.
I stepped off the ledge and moved toward the roof doors, my body brushing past him.
I'll find Haru myself—
"Ah ah ah… not so fast. I wasn't finished speaking."
He grabbed my arm tight, a hook anchored into it, stopping me in my tracks instantly.
"Good… now that—"
I gripped his neck with both hands and lifted him into the air—
Hard—
Harder—
His hands scratch at my wrists.
His eyes wide, popping open—green like a golf ball—tears forming around them, gasping for air, struggling—
"You… you touched me."
My chest blooms open, a laugh breaking through my breath.
"You're a sinner… you sinned…"
"You shouldn't exist here. Not in this world."
My hands squeeze tighter—
His legs thrash in the air—
My laugh sharpens, growing brighter and brighter—
"Wait… I… have… something… you want…"
He choked out, almost on his final breaths.
Something I want…
I want Haru—
But you don't have that.
So you're useless to me.
I can use your body as a sacrifice.
Yes.
YES.
That would be perfect—
"It's… about… Haru…"
Haru!?—
My hands release his neck.
His body squabbles on the floor, on his knees like the roach he is, gasping for air.
"Speak."
He jolted at my words.
He scrambled to his knees, head bowing so low his forehead touched the stone floor.
"My deepest apologies, great one… I was compelled to verify thy true form."
His eyes lifted—wide, shining, trembling with a mix of hope and pride that didn't belong in a mortal body.
"Nyxavara…"
He spoke my name with honor—a name I haven't heard in decades. something inside me curled around the sound like a claw. Good. Remember it.
His hands shook violently as he pulled forth a circular stone slab.
A lemon-shaped vertical eye was carved into its center, flowers blooming out from behind it, a serpent coiled around the symbol in an endless loop.
When was the last time I saw this...
It's been to long...
He held it out with both hands—an offering, an oath, a surrender.
"Show me…" his voice cracked, breaking into a whisper that barely held itself together.
"Show me the way of love…Lust's Chosen Hand."
I block out everything he says—nothing but useless banter, not even close to worth my time.
I thought we were talking about Haru—
not your pathetic, shaking fucking devotion.
My eyes drift to his arm—
His right arm…a red ribbon.
Student council?
A wide grin stretches across my face.
Maybe he'll be useful after all.