"Congratulations in moving to Top 5." Yuki turns her head to see whose voice is it coming from. But she forgot his name. He is the guy who talked to Shou before they got involved to a commotion about sharing rooms between a man and a woman. He even shaked her hands. Who is he again?

"Thank you." She smiles at him. Yuki is waiting for Shou outside the canteen and she noticed how the people passing by, frequently glance at their direction.

"It's unusual for you to be alone." And he is also alone. His partner is not present at the moment.

"I'm just waiting for Shou." Just when she said that, Shou's figure is within her sight. However, the guy in front of her doesn't notice it since he is facing the canteen.

"Do you want perhaps to go inside and sit down?"

Yuki stares at Shou approaching them. "Well, he's already there."

"Oh."

"Goodmorning, Suzuki." The guy smiles at Shou. However, Shou looked serious.

"Good morning." Unlike before, Shou didn't smile at his greeting.

Ano kayang meron?

Then, there is a moment of silence. Yuki is not really good at continuing a conversation and the two of them is just staring at each other.

After the silence, the guy smiled before speaking. "I want to congratulate the both of you in getting to top 5." Is Shou angry? Or he is just not in the mood right now?

"Yeah, you too." Shou is not bothering himself to have a nice chat. But the guy is still smiling at him. Does he not noticed Shou's mood?

"Well then, I'll take my leave now." Or maybe he noticed his mood and decided to leave?

"What do you want to eat?" Shou is wearing a dark red polo and black pants. Yuki and Shou are currently waiting for their turn to order food.

In this canteen, there is a huge area for queueing enough to fit five long lanes. That is why, even if the people increased here, this place will not be crowded.

"Up to you as long as there is rice." He nods at her. She is always behind him and whenever these situations happen such as waiting for him, she tends to observe her surroundings.

Shou told him before, there are 10 pairs in A-level. If she will count the number of participants up to D-level, that would be at least of 80 pairs or 160 participants. However, this is weird. From the looks of it, there are not only 160 people inside the canteen right now. There is at least, 250 people. But how can she be so sure? She can't just assume she is correct without actually counting these people.

Yuki is closely-guarded by Shou. Jason takes a glance to their direction who are currently taking their food, while eating his meal with Matthew. And his companion is still in bad mood since yesterday. Jason is not sure what exactly it is but Yuki is definitely involved.

Ano kayang iniisip nito?

"Hey Matthew, are you planning in joining those 7 ranks?" Matthew stops taking a bite to answer his question.

"Are you stupid? Of course, I am-- I have to."
His words at the end, has a hint of anger. He keeps on wanting to defeat Shou. And Jason doesn't know the whole story. But he is sure it's not a shallow reason.

"You told me that Yuki will die if this keeps going and maybe even him." Jason doesn't dare to mention Shou since Matthew gets easily agitated just hearing his name.

Before when they arrived here, Matthew kept watching Shou and Yuki while Jason accompanying him. They were sitting at one of the trees near the school grounds whereas, Yuki and Shou were killing monsters. They fought each monster separately. And Jason can't believe that Yuki was fearlessly fighting her opponent while Shou was easily defeating his opponent. Jason is honestly amazed at them, like he is watching an action movie in person even though, he also experienced those things. However, when their battle was finish, Matthew said something.

"That girl will die."

Jason didn't see his expression at that time, since Matthew already turned his back on him. However, his voice was undeniably serious.

"What do you mean by that?" Jason feels Matthew got even more agitated. But this is expected and he will stop talking about it when Matthew already answered him.

So Matthew glares at him and rests his hands on his lap while sitting with his legs apart, like he is trying to calm down. "All of us has a bond right? I told you about that. But them, they don't have it." In each of his words is like containing heavy feelings on it.

"Why are you asking anyways!" Then, Matthew returns on his meal and that's what Jason also did.

Actually, he doesn't really understand the situation yet. He doesn't even expect that his life would be like this. However, he really has a bad feeling of what Matthew said.

Yuki and Shou are about to get their way to the exit of the building when among the obedient crowd who's making their path solely for them, few figures are making a noise and not standing still.

As they got nearer and nearer to those figures, the picture is getting clearer. There are two girls pushing another girl and that girl blocks their way.

She is short, petite and have quite fair skin. She is wearing a cape up to her knees and a dress underneath.

"Jane you can do it!" She has two companions, supporting her.

The girl who just spoke has a boyish look. She is also wearing the same cape however, a shirt and short underneath.

While the other girl gives her a thumbs up. Her hair is braided and quite slim. She is wearing a blouse and a long skirt underneath the same cape.

Then the people present, starts to chatter around. The girl named Jane offers a small envelope with her back a slightly bend and her hands stretched towards Shou.

"I apologize for my rudeness-- I-I..." Is this a confession?

"I really like you! I'm your fan!"

Woaaaah.

Yuki feels like her mind suddenly woke up! This is her first time witnessing one! However, despite her thoughts, her face remains unexpressive. The situation is too sudden for her to react.

"Please accept my letter!" Jane's voice sounds gentle even though she just tried to make her voice louder and audible.

She stared at Shou, anticipating of his reaction. Will he accept it or not?

Shou didn't even bother to move his head but he looked at it. But that's all. He passed by Jane, ignoring her.

Well, it is not really her business anyways. So Yuki just glances at it and follows Shou.

However, suddenly someone pulled Yuki's wrist.
"Please wait!"

The tanned girl stops Yuki. So she just let it be and will listen to what she's going to say. Yuki can just catch up with him anyways.

Knowing that Yuki will talk to her, the tanned girl gently lets go of her wrist. "Please.... I know you're his partner-- Can you please give it to him?"

Jane starts to cry and the braided girl rubs her back to somehow ease Jane's feelings.

"Don't cry Jane..."

The tanned girl looks very determined at Yuki like, she will do anything you ask for her as long as the envelope is delivered to Shou. The other girl also stares at Yuki with a pleading expression but no words are coming out.

"She really likes Shou-- Jane really likes him! She knows that Shou will not like her back but..." Her voice starts to sound softer as she glanced below, trying to suppress most of her feelings.

"Accepting the letter is enough... Please!" It feels like their eyes are loudly speaking and Yuki can't look back at them. Their honest and pure feelings is making her feel disgusted at herself! Is this what they supposedly call true friends?

Anyway, Yuki can't still do what they want. That is Shou's decision in his personal life and not her business to mind. However, she finds it difficult to explain it without sounding harsh.

As a start, Yuki smiles at them before speaking.

"If Shou didn't accept it then I can't..."

Their face looked disappointed but she already made her choice.

"I don't have the right to force him in something he refused." It does sound harsh right? Yuki sighs in the back of her mind, at her failure. However, her point is there.

No need to have more thoughts about this. She should just leave.

"I hope you understand." Yuki glances at all of them before turning her back away. And no one stops her this time.

The entrance of this building is only an open space. So when she is about to step outside, the wind flew her hair. In her peripheral vision, she saw a familiar figure leaning on the wall with the sole of his shoes. Then, she witnessed how his hair sways in the wind and how it becomes a little messy.

He looks like a model who is currently taking a photoshoot. And she laughs in the back of her mind.

"I thought you already left." When Yuki approached Shou, he seems observing her whole body before walking away.

"I told you to stick with me." She can't see his expression with only of his back and she doesn't know what to feel when he said that but she got suddenly reminded of what happened awhile ago.

"Why didn't you accept the letter?" She asked but what if he didn't give her an answer? Well, it is also fine.

"I'm not interested." There is no changes with his body behavior. Not sure with his facial expression but it seems not so. Shou just keeps walking ahead of her while Yuki follows his back.

"So when you're not interested, you tend to ignore things?"

"Yeah."

Matthew and Jason's battle just finished and they lost. However, their goal is fulfilled. They are already one of the seven ranks. Though, their rank is still far from that guy.

Tsk.

"Are you going to watch?" Jason asked Matthew when he caught up to his pace. "I'm just going to take a look."

"There are still alot of people here." Jason said as he is moving his head to probably look around. Jason was surprised awhile ago that the seats are all taken.

As they climb up the stairs to the spectator's seat, loud whispers can be heard.

Just as when Matthew takes a step on the upper floor, he immediately noticed their match.

"Hey Matthew--"

As I thought... 

"What happened?!" Jason rushed to the barricade of spectators seat where he can have the nearest view to the match of Shou and Yuki. He is almost about to fall for pushing his body to gawk out his head, to confirm if he really saw things right. But Jason is holding onto the barricade so he will not fall.

Matthew walks to where Jason is and unlike Jason, he already expected this.

I'm not suprised they are losing...

Not minding of blocking some people's view, Matthew and Jason continue to talk.

"What just happened when we were in our match? It was like only for 5 minutes! How can they be wounded like that!?"

Shou is still standing but weakly, with cuts on his body. However, he is still holding his weapon. And Yuki is leaning on the wall while sitting. From the looks of it, she is punched and kicked ruthlessly due to the bruises on her face Matthew saw shortly. Also, the scythe is out of her reach.

You understand now do you? This is what it means by being his partner.

They are unlucky, fighting against an aggressive pair. "The guy who is confroting him is Sun-woo Lee. The best description of him is, assasination. He's good at sneaky attacks but you can tell-- he loves making his enemy helpless and suffer." Once someone becomes his opponent, that person will be surprised that he's just right behind him.

At that moment, Yuki's opponent kicks her on the face which made her head turn. They can't see her expression since her back is turned on them however, it is obvious she's also getting weak.

"Such asshole!" Jason can't contain his frustration. He is really soft to girls.

"That guy is Seoknim Kim. It seems they got stronger because of same characteristic."

"Violent."

Shou told her that it is fine if they lose the following matches. However, she can't watch Shou keeps receiving new wounds! His skin keeps getting cut and stabbed by those small knives that will disappear once it passed by or hit its target. And then, the opponent will have another set of knives.

Yuki was right behind Shou and was about say something to her however, they took the opportunity to split Shou and Yuki apart! She suddenly found Shou thrown away to the other side. She just then discovered who did that when that person is in front of Shou. His name is Sun-woo.

And then, she felt a sudden strong pressure compressing her stomach! She could have withstand it if she knew the upcoming attack however, things went so fast! His punch even lifted her whole body for a second! At that position, all she can see was the contracted big muscles on his arm. It must be his partner. Seok Nim.

"Does it feel good?" His hands still stayed on her stomach and whispered as he talks while Yuki used her scythe to support her weakened body.

"I am so blessed for having this opportunity."  He then used his other hand to strangle her and lifted her up in the air. "To fight without being imprisoned... and even to kill!" His hand got tighter and she can't breath properly anymore. She needs air!

So with all her might, she used the handle of her scythe to slips past under him and pushed it into his eye! She can feel how his eye got soft and flatten!

His hand was out of grip and she fell right on the floor! She inhaled air as much as possible, as fast as possible. She hoped from that attack, even though it's impossible, made him blind! And after a few seconds, she stood up right away and backed away from him! However, doing it so suddenly made her balance off.

"That fucking hurts!"  He already recovered? So she faced him to avoid any unexpected attacks. However, his hand covered her whole sight! Just one centimeter gap... it passed by her cheek!

She backed away even without looking at her surroundings, just so she can make a safe distance between them! But he is really fast! She tried to attack him so that he will not at least get his own pace. She charged at him! Attacked him! Make the back of the blade meet his skin, his ankles, his legs, his arms, his stomach, his chest, his neck, his face, his eyes!

But he avoided it all! And where did he go? He suddenly disappeared!

In this time he disappared, Yuki felt a hard object on her back! Her back arched. She clenched her teeth at the sudden pain! She trembled. It felt like electricity travelled to her brain, delivering a message that her back tremendously hurt! Along that moment, he smacked the scythe away from her hand!

Her knees are weakening and her head staggered down. "This is what I like about fighting, indulging people in pain."  All she can see is the ground but she can feel him smiling, grinning! And then, he chuckled, expressing great satisfaction in what he is doing.

Yuki was about to lift her head however, her knees dropped. And just then, she noticed her scythe lying near her! However, he seemed sense her plan and kicked the scythe away from her!

"No more chances..."

He was GRINNING.

He snatched her hair up and her body followed its direction even though her body is getting weak, just so it will hurt less even a little.

But he was grabbing it way too up, towards his face. She barely tiptoed.

"Scared?" Her feet were shaking. Any longer she will really fall off! Just then, his hand moved a bit lower and far from his face, and punched her right to her cheek! She didn't fall off nor thrown away because he was still forcefully grabbing her hair, letting her feel the full impact of his fist! Her saliva felt like, it was about to slips out of her mouth. But she gulped it down and received another painful punch on her guts! She was thrown on the barricade and slid down on the floor. She then, rested her one hand on the ground for support while her other hand, lying helplessly.

She can see his footsteps getting nearer so she looked up at him. "Is that all you can do?" Like not satisfied enough, he kicked her again! The metal barricade made a noise. If were not for it, she would be tossed into the air again.

At that point, he starts to beat her endlessly and she realized just then, the current state of Shou. He stays standing while his torned clothes are covered in blood.

"Getting tired?" Yes, she is tired. But she still has some strength.

"Blame your prince right there!" Seoknim points his thumb behind him. "If he's not so persistent, your suffering already ended!"

Prince...?

Yuki is still reminded by what happened just when they got here, despite the situation she is in. And she accidentally smiles.

"What? You're smiling?" She didn't really let out a huge smile for him to notice but that only shows he is observing her throughly. Then, he laughs, really loud.

She saw how he catches Shou and Sun-woo's attention. However, Sun-woo immediately turns his attention back to Shou.

At that moment, she found an opportunity. She leans her hand on the floor as far as she can and drags her body over the other side where her weapon is! "You!"

He is about to kick her arm that supporting her but it slips pass by! At the moment she drags her body to the air, her eyes met Shou's eyes. He is greatly injured than her since he is not only suffering from the cuts but also from blood loss. Despite his state, he is tightly holding onto his weapons.

She successfully grabs her scythe and immediately stands up to face Seoknim!

She tightly grips her scythe. "I'm sorry, Shou!" She doesn't know if she said it loud enough to be heard by him however, she feels great remorse.

Who doesn't want to have bond with his partner? Who does want to suffer from cuts and body pains? Who does want to endure this helplessness?!

From the entitles he is called, prodigy, prince, highness... Shou is definitely strong! She know just from the trainings he gives her and the demons he fought! He is skilled! Very skilled!

But she made him weak!

She charges at Seoknim. His movement gets slower this time. So Yuki found the perfect timing to swift her scythe behind his legs and pulled it onto her.

The cut is smooth. His muscle that looks so tough when he kicked  and puched her, feels so soft now, along with his bone. It feels like the blade didn't touch the bone from the beginning!

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Seoknim fell on the ground while his legs left standing still. In her peripheral vision, she saw Sun-woo turning his head to Seoknim.

I'm sorry, Shou.

She failed to follow Shou's instructions. He told her if he can't ever protect her, she can fight back. Target the ankles and wrists like what he always do however, using the back of the blade.
That's her training all about.

A series of gunshots can be heard. Sun-woo curses. So he isn't able to dodge this time then.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" Seoknim curses. His blood starts to flow on the ground until it reaches her shoes. Is this what they call bloody bath? Seeing one, she finds it cute.

"SHIT! This is all your fault Seoknim!" Sun-woo also lies on the ground with bullets on the usual spots... rather all of his limbs. It seems Shou is sparing his internal organs.

Without waiting for the referee's announcement, she approaches Shou, not minding if she steps on the blood.

He is barely standing.

"The match is over! The winner is Shou Suzuki and Yuki Domingo!"

Their weapons disappeared. Then, Shou's head fell on Yuki's shoulder just in time.

"Thanks..." Shou whispered. His voice sounds exhausted.

"You bitch! I'll pay back the mess you fucking did!" That's the only words she heard among all the noises Seoknim said.

Despite of the exhaustion, she still has the energy to speak.

"You're welcome..."

She smiled. But whom did she say that for? Is he thanking Shou from the bottom of her heart? Or is she challenging Seoknim by being sarcastic?

"Let me treat the both of you." Yuki just then noticed a yellow tentacle speaking right on her face. Is it a tentacle but... it has a mouth?

Yuki flinches when something wraps on her stomach, arms, thighs-- almost all of her body parts. It is the yellow tentacles covering her and it's the same case with Shou.

A bit later, Yuki feels her body getting light. There are no body pains anymore. Her back is not aching nor her stomach.

However, why does Shou's weight stay on her? Shouldn't he be okay right now?

The tentacles gently unwraps them and one tentacle floats on her face. "He used up almost all of his energy-- soul energy and we can't do anything about that. But we healed the both of you physically." Yuki nods at it and it disappears from her sight. She just then noticed their opponents still lying down. They must be taking longer to heal especially Seoknim with his legs cut off.

She fixed Shou's position to support him easier, by placing his arm over her shoulder. And she can feel his cooperation. Because he is not letting his body weight drag her down as possible. So he's still conscious but his eyes is half open, showing how tired he is.

They exit the arena. And someone approaches them. He is Matthew's partner. "Are you okay?"

His eyebrows crease. But what's his name again?

"Yeah." Yuki answered, feeling awkward not remembering his name.

"Let me help you." He is about to snatch Shou away from her when Yuki speaks again. "Just support him from the other side."

He follows what she said and Shou speaks like he earned all of his energy first before spending it. "Thanks Jason."

By that, she now knows what his name is.

As they make their way to Shou and Yuki's room, the crowd made a path for them. However, they are whispering to each other.

But she doesn't mind and rather thankful that the crowd made things easier for them.

"What happened?" Yuki glances at Jason who is looking at her. What exactly he wants to hear about?

"I mean... He looks fine but he's still not fine..?" Jason asked as if he is unsure himself. But she understands what he is meaning to say.

"Should I tell him?" Yuki asked Shou for permission to answer Jason.

"It's fine..."

The scene of the tentacle speaking to her, flashes into her mind. "The referee said he used up almost all of his soul energy."

It's strange though. She never witness Shou like this in their previous matches nor battles in the human world.

~'Because of me' ends~

***
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