Shou is still sleeping. He is really tired because he's the one who usually wakes up first before her.

So before he wakes up, she should buy him food at least. He's not eating yet since last night. He must be hungry when he wakes up. So she grabs his card and makes her way to the canteen without fixing her hair.

Shou told her, she can spend his card with any food and doesn't have to worry about the money since in the human world, she is the one who's paying for all the basic needs for both of them.

And she finds that funny, who said he owns her nothing when they were gone to shopping? So what's this now?

However, Yuki finds it strange how he got enrolled to her school when he doesn't have any money.

Along the way, she noticed how the crowd clears the path for her. Aren't they clearing path for Shou all this time? Why is this also happening to her? Because she's the partner of him?

She queus for food on the nearest lane and feels anxious. This is her first time buying food since it's always Shou who bought her one.

She just then realized, since they arrived here, she always relies on him.

In front of the lanes, there are large screen which shows the list of dishes and costs of it. However, the dishes can also be browsed on the monitor in each lane. So instead of a living soul serving the participants, it is the machines. And they all have the same name, Eva.

The Eva in the canteen can also make the hologram like it is an actual food for the sake of checking its appearance and taste, if it is appealing for the customer. The hologram appears beside the machine along with the cutlery. So you can turn the food around, touch and taste it. However, there is a limited space for the hologram which unables to bring it to other location. Also, Eva can show the details of the food, voice or non-voice, including the calories and ingredients. The customers can also have the option to order Eva, voice or non-voice.

Her turn is next. So she browses what Shou usually buy. What if he didn't like what she picks for him?  And what if she also didn't like what she picks for herself? Since the food here is unknown for her. She picks the safest option.

Actually, she is panicking right now. There are people behind her, who's waiting for their turn. She can't be so slow.

Finally, she found the food including the drinks and ordered it for two. She swipes the card on the small device in front of the monitor and the food appears.

The food is inside a wood container and wraps in plastic. While the cutlery is located on another container attached on top of the wooden box.

"Yukiii!"

Someone called her. And she is looking for the source of its voice.

It is Jason approaching her along with Matthew. However, Matthew looks away and takes a left turn. Maybe he will find a table for them.

She stares at Jason, waiting for him to speak up. Maybe he noticed it and smiles at her.

"How is he?"

"He's getting better."

"So you're not going to eat here?" He confirms while glancing at the plastic she's holding.

"Nope. I will eat at the room."

"Hm.. okay. I hope he'll be completely fine soon." There's moment of silence before he bids a goodbye. However, she forgot something.

"Wait!"

He stops walking away and turns around. "What is it?"

"Thanks Jason." She didn't give him a weak smile. But a grin. And Jason is not responding. She becomes anxious. Is she being over friendly? But she just wanted to thank him for helping them last time.

"No problem! Ask me when you need help. Bye!" 

"Shou." Yuki is sitting beside him who is still sleeping. He has to eat now. But he is not responding.

"Shou." Last call and if it doesn't work, she will do it physical means.

"Shoooou." However, there is still no response. So she taps his face.  "Shooou, wake up."

She gently shakes his shoulder. This is the first time she witnessed Shou being not attentive.

"Wake uuuup. Shoooou. Shooooou." As possible, she doesn't want to rashly wake him up.

Finally, his eyes slowly open.

"Wake up. You have to eat."

"Okay." He slowly sits up and Yuki hands the food over him. He still looks weakening or is this how he is when he just woke up?

"I bought the same food you bought for us. Since I'm not familiar with the dishes that much." Technically, he is sick. Though, not a sickness like fever because his temperature is normal. In the things she watched, usually this is where the caretaker has to help the sick person eat his meal. However, he is not disable and not saying so.

Also, strictly speaking, it's for the romantic scenes! What is she thinking? He should be fine now. However, if he asks her, it's fine for her even if it means being awkward. She will do anything for him to recover.

Because it is her fault anyway. Her fault. Thinking that, she feels guilty again.

"You should eat now too." She unconsciously looks away and sits at her bed to eat.

She presses down the button for the container of cutlery to open, and follows by the actual food container. The food is still hot. 

"I'll be okay by noon. I just need more rest and then, we'll train." So fast?

"Are you sure? Don't you need to rest at least for one day?"

"I'm okay." He is already finished eating and grabs a drink on the drawer cabinet. 

"Thanks a lot Yuki." He smiles at her before lying down on the bed again and, sleeps.

Matthew is sitting down and waiting for Jason to come back to their table. Jason is currently talking to Yuki.

And that Yuki gave Matthew a surprise in their last battle. She got honestly faster. Matthew doesn't understand what happened and, knows that she can defend herself and fight. However, to be faster than her opponent all of sudden, who is skilled and physically strong, is a different story.

Are Shou and Yuki able to pull it off already?

Matthew noticed Jason approaching their table. "You're finished?"

Matthew also doesn't know what happened to this guy. But it is annoying how he is being close with her. Can't Jason see that girl can manage on her own?

"Yep!" Jason foolishly smiles.

Now what?

Yuki is currently lying down on bed and blankly staring at the ceiling. She wants to train again and get better at fighting. So that she will not drag him down. However, except that, the main problem is the bond.

How can she make the bond happen between them? If she can remember, HCD said that she can trust him? Or it only said about needing to create a bond? But who said that she can trust him? She knows Shou told her that before. But she feels like, other than him, someone said that to her. But who? Or maybe she is just imagining it?

Aaaaah!

Her mind is a mess! There are so many battles she encountered ever since she met him! She should be feeling of wanting to watch animes, read mangas and play some games in this free time. However, she doesn't feel that way anymore! She just wants to train and train! What's happening to her?!

She accidentally glanced at the clock and it's near noon. So she calms herself and decides to buy food for both of them again. This time, she fixes herself before going out.

"You bitch!" Yuki is walking on the hallway and the crowd is clearing a larger path than usual? There is a woman who is walking on the cleared path and she is getting nearer to Yuki's direction. Yuki might bump on that woman who just shouted out of anger. So Yuki walks aside to make a path for her.

"Don't run away from me!" Is she talking to Yuki?

Then, the woman blocks her way. So she is talking to Yuki but, she suddenly slaps her!

Yuki is too shocked to react. But she remained expressionless. Yuki is really confused. What did she do to get a slap from a stranger?

Yuki is waiting for her explanation.

"How dare you!" From her head slapped to the side, Yuki puts her sight on the woman in front of her.

"I let you pass thrice! Thrice!!!" She points her finger at Yuki. And this commotion is starting to gather people.

Suddenly, the girl pulls Yuki's hair and Yuki can do is to follow its direction, to lessen the pain. At this moment, she is reminded of her encounter to Seoknim yesterday.

"You're damn ungrateful!" Every words she said, contain frustration. "First you humiliate Prince Shou in front of everyone.... Second you did damn nothing in the match... and then I discovered what happened yesterday?!" She pulls her hair tighter and Yuki is getting irritated.

"You hurt Prince Shou, bitch!!!!" Now she pulled her hair on both sides! Not mentioning, it feels like her hair will be pulled off from her scalp! It really hurts!

Because of that, not only is she reminded by the man who beated her up, but also her classmates who bullied her in the human world!

"It's your goddamn fault why he got weakened! You're blocking the bond!!! If it weren't for that, he will not suffer like this!" Her chest is building up anger and guilt.

I know it's my fault! I know that! And that doesn't have to always be spit on my face that Shou is hurt because of me!

I want to create the bond
that other people talks about,
that all pairs have, but how?!

How can I do that? I will be really glad if someone will tell me!

If I already know it at the first place, I would have already done so! But I don't know how! I do not!

I am at fault for being useless! Weak! Ignorant!
And being the way I am!

I don't know how to trust someone even if I want to myself... because of my own character!

And this woman in front of me, already slapped me, what more does she want?! Beat me up like that man did? Bullshit! If someone ever wants to beat me up, it should be him! It should be Shou! I am willing to accept Shou beating me up to his heart's content! Because he is the one who's in pain! He has the right to do something like that to someone who is to blame!

But not her who is pulling my hair! Kahit na kaano ano pa siya ni Shou!

But what can I do? I am a weak-willed person. Before, I always think of what will I do if someone ever do something unreasonable as this.

Will I be too angry and retaliate, like those in animes whenever someone pushed their button and can't control their anger?

Or will I keep silent and endure it, which is what I usually do?

I always wonder what would be my reaction. I am envious of people who can do things with their honest feelings. However, my control on myself is how I survived before these incomprehensible situations happenned to me.

And I decided that, if something ever happens to me, such as unreasonable physical harm, my actions will rely on what I'm feeling.

"Is that all?" Maybe she will stop once she let out all of her frustation?

"What did you say?" I stared on the ground all this time so I lift my head up to repeat what I said straight on her face.

"Is that all?" My eyes land on her neck. It's so close.

I want to strangle you.

She pulls my hair higher, maybe to get a better view of my face? She gave me a sarcastic smile. My heart is beating so fast.

"Oh yeah, and it's the fact that you don't suit Prince Shou at all!" She shouted right on my ear.

Hey.

I really really want to touch your neck and strangle you.

Do you know that?

I smiled. 

"W-What are you doing?!" She slowly lets go of my hair as I wrap my hand on her neck tighter.

And tighter.

"I-It..." She puts her hands over mine and trying to remove it. "...H-He... H-hurts...!" She keeps struggling but her hard tone is still there. Her pride is still there.

So I slowly lift her up in the air. "L-Let......m-m...me..... g-..go...."

She desperately hurts my hand by punching, pinching, slapping it and scraping me with her sharp nails. No worries, I'll not kill you.

But what if Shou see this? Will he not care? Will he get angry at me? But if he does, then it will be because he doesn't know what she did to me. Right?

I gripped her neck tighter. Her tongue is slipping out of her mouth. It is dripping with her saliva. And it lands on my hand.

That should be it.

"Yuki!!!!"

Yuki looks at the source of the familiar voice. He is shocked. Shou is shocked.

So Yuki throws the woman on the ground. She is desperately catching her breath, coughing. Unlike a while ago, people helps her but didn't bother to stop the commotion she made.

He approaches Yuki. "What are you doing?! Why do you have to do that, Yuki?!" He is angry. This is her first time witnessing this kind of expression on his face.

Pero hindi naman ako ang nagumpisa, Shou.

Yuki is about to explain herself when Shou speaks again.

"Even if she did something to you first, you just have to defend yourself!"  He shouted at her. He shouted at her, different from his scolding.

She feels embarassed.

She feels like crying.

But she didn't speak a word.

Shou woke up without Yuki in the room. He wondered where she is. He checked the time and it was already noon, thinking she might be in the canteen.

He shortly fixed himself and went out to look for her, hoping she was safe. Because it is dangerous for her to be alone.

Then, he remembered what happened on their last fight. He didn't understand what exactly happened, but at the time he felt weak, energy was already prying inside him. He actually thought, he was going to die.

Is this what it means to have a bond? However, he doesn't feel exactly different at the moment.

On his way to canteen, a bunch of people was gathering on the hallway. However, that was not his business. Yuki is his priority. Or so he thought.

When the crowd noticed his presence, they cleared the path for him towards the commotion is happening.

There, Shou witnessed Yuki strangling a girl. And that girl was Risa! What happened?!

I immediately went to their place. He called her name and she threw Risa away. Is she this strong before? Shou talked to her and he can guess what happened.

Risa is some kind of person who likes him. But this is still wrong!

"Oh... is that so...." That wasn't a question. He looks at her eyes and he can't utter a word.

Her eyes feel different.

She smiles at Shou. "I don't regret what I've done."

Even her smile feels different.

"I'll go now." She walks away as the students makes a way for her.

And I started to feel different.

Suddenly, Matthew pops out in front of Shou, with an angry expression.

"You are an idiot! Didn't you know she is defending herself? Are you not aware of that bitch's--" His finger points to Risa. "Attitude?!"

"Watch your mouth, Monkey!" Risa shouted back while she's still sitting down and leaning on the wall. Matthew glares at her before me, and walks away. Again, they make a way for him and encloses it when Matthew is completely away.

Shou looks back at Risa and goes towards her. She gives him a smile and offers her to stand up. "Are you okay?" Risa blushes.

"It still honestly hurts but I'm fine. Thank you..." She stood up and he lets go of her hand.

He slams his hand on the wall and she gasps. He looks closely at her face but her eyes avert his. And when she is about to say something, he cuts her off.

"It's wrong for Yuki to do that to you. But this is all your fault at the first place, Risa." She is going to say something but he cuts her off again. "Remember this, before you can hurt Yuki, you will have to go through me first."

He fixes his posture and leaves her before she starts talking. She calls out his name but Shou ignores her.

Now where is she?!

Yuki's chest feels really heavy. She badly wants to cry however, she has to find a place where no one is around. She enters the forest.

With all honesty, she doesn't really blame Shou. If she just strangled her just for a short while and ran away, then Shou will not be able to see that and she already, abled to defend herself.

She's not also angry at Shou. Instead, she feels disappointed. She expected too much and this is what she gets.

She sighs and doesn't expect that someone will pull her wrist from behind. He didn't speak and looks at her first.

"See? I told you. I warned you." He gave her one of his sarcastic smile. Then, he creases his eyebrows. "About being his partner! You should just give it up if you're going to be like that!" She also doesn't expect that Matthew would be here. What is he doing here?

Tambayan niya ba 'to?

She fixes herself to properly stands in front of him and lets him holding her wrist.

"Is that all you're going to say?" If that is all, then she clearly knows what she is going tell him.

He unclasps his hand on her wrist. "What?" He glances on his side as he finds what she said unbelievable.  "Are you going to strangle me like what you did to her?"

His sneers is not directed at Shou, instead it's her. "Do it if you can!"

She sighs. "That's not it." He is misunderstanding her. But how is she going to explain herself?

Then, she remembers how she was about to explain at Shou awhile ago.

"You see, I decided that... I'll always follow Shou." I smiles at him.

"No matter what happens." Her voice is soft however, her tone is not.

"If that's all, I'll go now."

What is Matthew doing? Why did he say that to Shou? Why did he follow her?! What was he trying to do just now?! She just left and he messed his hair up, out of frustration.

Damn it!

The smile she just made, keeps flashing in his head! It was not one of her normal smiles. It was empty! Emotionless!

He puts his hands inside his pocket and gets out of the forest. Along the way, he recognizes someone he hates the most! It seems that person is going to approach him!

Just great!

"Where's Yuki?"

Matthew finds it irritating how he is casually talking to him. "You're her partner! Not mine!" Matthew passes by him and he collides Shou's shoulder with his, forcefully.

"Oh no! What happened to you, princess?"

Risa glared at both of them.

As if you care!

"Shhh-- sister. She will be more ashamed if you're going to remind her..." Joceline said with her bitchy smile.

"Remind her of what?" Jacqueline asks innocently while looking down with her eyes on Risa.

"Oh! You mean..." Jacqueline glances at Risa before speaking again. "She was about... to die?" Both of them snicker.

They are purposely blocking my way-- goddamn bitches!

"I'm so sorry... I thought you're only heartbroken from one sided love..." Risa slaps Jacqueline!

But as usual, a certain someone stopped her. Risa glares at him. "I can't allow anyone harming Lady Jacqueline, Ms. Risa."

"Let go of me!" Risa pulls her hand from him and glares at both of them. "Scaryyy...." Joceline clings to her bitch sister's arm. While Jacqueline just snickers.

"Get out of my way!" Risa forcefully pushes them to the side and she passed through!

"Take care of yourself Rissy!"

"We're just here for you!"

The hall echoes their giggles.

Acting sophisticated and shit. Disgusting! And she dare to call me Rissy?  She doesn't exist anymore!

She walks her way to the clinic and slams the door open. She feels so frustated.

It's all her goddamn fault! 

~'Strong for them, weak for her' ends~

***
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