"E I N."

That very name had venom dripping from it every time it slipped out of someone's mouth. 

But yet...

There was one person who thought highly of him. Damian.

He looked up to that man.

The man who did all of this to them.

The man who left the mental and physical scars on those who never deserved it. 

And his name...

Is...

E I N.

.  .  .

Aphmau

I froze when I heard that name come out of Damian's mouth. And before I even knew it, an oppressive mindset fell over everyone. 

No one said a single word, too lost in their own thoughts to even mumble something. 

"That-That-That's  just -- That's not possible.." I heard Aaron mumble beside me. His voice was quiet and hushed, which concerned me even more. 

I didn't want that ultima side of him to be released with everyone here. What about his family? What would happen to them if he...

I began to tear up at the thought of it. Aaron must have sensed it because he wrapped his arms around me shortly after. 

"That's right, Aaron. Hold her tightly like you did before." Damian spat, laughing wickedly in my direction. I never would have thought someone so sweet would look back at me in the future with those pulverizing eyes.

So full of evil intent...

Aaron growled at Damian after what he said. I looked around at everyone else. 

They had that same expression; lost in their seemingly interminable thoughts. Kawaii~Chan was trying to comfort Zane, who sat there shaking slightly. I could tell by the slight shaking movement of his hands. 

"Aww, look at all your friends." Damian spoke with a careless tongue. "Shaking in their own boots. Afraid of what I'm going to do to all of you."

"Highly unlikely. I don't think you could really do anything to us; no offense." Kim confidently said. 

I saw Damian glare at her with a fervor of annoyance. I contained my laughter as I couldn't agree more with what she said.

After all, he is the one who's in our court, essentially. 

But I still couldn't mutter a word, and neither could Zane. I could sense it. He was too much in shock too. 

Just like me.

"Is... Is he-? " 

"Yes, Aaron. He's alive." He replied.

His eyes widened at hearing this. I tried to comfort him, but with not much luck in doing so. 

Hmm...

Zane 

I..

I-I...

I don't believe it. 

He's not alive -- Why would he be!?

I thought he died in the mountains..

I'm scared..

I never want to relive that again.

The scars..

I...

I felt numb. I couldn't move. 

I tried to say something -- anything. But my mind was racing so fast, none of them could even be put into words. 

I felt Nana's hands on my back as she tried to sooth me. I couldn't look at her in the eye. 

Her eyes of worry would just pierce me through my heart. I don't think I'm ready for that. 

Scratch that; I'm never  going ready for that. 

I raked my hand through my curly black hair, letting out a sigh. 

"Zane..." Nana whispered to me. "Are are you okay? You are really concerning me right now..." 

"I know..." I murmured. "And I'm sorry..."

"See? Look at them. I can't believe that you would fall for someone who just looses his sh-"

"How about you shut your mouth? " Nana lashed out at Damian. "I can fall for anyone I want to! And I'm not going to let some jerk who went insane over some girl you dumped for idiotic reasons!"

Damian tried to talk again, but was cut off subsequently.

"I'm not finished! First of all, I don't even think I ever loved you in the first place! Our relationship was more forced than anything. Second, for you to go out of your way and do something like this is ridiculous! How could you, Damian!? How could you?"

I saw her face turn a reddish-pink as she pouted, eyebrows furrowed as she glared at him. A few others nodded in agreement with her. 

I agreed as well, but still was thinking about all of this.

There's no way he's alive...

Is there...?

Nana

I can't believe he would ever go this far. I knew he was desperate, but still!

I don't understand how someone could agree to being in kahoots with someone so cruel.

He hurt my Zuzu, and I'm never letting him go through what he did before. 

I remember seeing him in such a sad state. His mind somewhere else as he had nightmares left and right. 

I never had to face the wrath of Ein, but I know deep down that he will always be an enemy in my eyes.

"But I thought you still love me. Don't deny it, because I can see right through you, Kawaii~Chan."

"You talk as if you know who I am. And you don't, so stop before you embarrass yourself more."

"It seems like it's you who's being embarrassing. Why aren't you talking in your third person voice, huh? I have no idea who could ever deal with it for so long."

"Yeah, Kawaii~Chan.." Lucinda piped up. "You aren't. You normally always do."

"Uh..." 

"Yeah, Kawaii~Chan." Damian spoke snarkily. "Unless that's not even your real name, Kawaii-Chan."

Oh Irene...

What do I do now?

Do I lie to them...?

Or tell my friends the truth..?

. . . .

Hello! :D

It's been a while since I've done a note at the end.

I'm still proud of myself for being so productive over the weekend that just recently passed.

3 chapters for one book! Hooray! 

And you guys seem to love it as well, which I'm glad to see.

More of the stuff you love coming soon! Got some really big plans for that one. Hehee... （＞w＜）

See you next time! Bai~! <3