Zak glanced at Tech, seeing him eat his sandwich peacefully, before looking at his sandwich in-front of him.

Tech split his sandwich, giving Zak more than half. It confused the boy, he already told him that he could easily tell his chefs to make something, but Tech only shook his head and ate his peace.

It was confusing to Zak, but he couldnt help but smile from the action. It was an oddly... endearing action for him.

Smiling, he bit into his own sandwich.

~

Bad was done rechecking the house. He was almost the most paranoid of people. It's not like he could help that every inch of this place holds so many memories, right? This place is something he holds dearly to him, whether he lives here or not. It'd be devastating if something happened to this place, like a robbery. He has no idea how he'd recover from that.

Seeing that everything's in the right place, he smiled -- before remembering that he's cooking something and 'gracefully' running to save his baked goods.

When he got there, he saw Juliet taking it out instead. He didn't know why, but he felt a wave of familiarity from the sight.

The teen seemed to have felt his gaze at her, because she quickly looked up at him.

"Sorry, did I take these out too early? I just thought that it was ready since I..." She trailed off, looking away.

He couldn't help but feel pity for the child. Why was her first reaction to apologize? Was he too harsh on her?

"No, you did well, Juliet. I knew it was a right idea to hire you, muffin."

Although Juliet felt relief and satisfaction from his words, she couldn't help but ask.

"Muffin?"

"Yeah, someone used to call me that." Despite the strong growing sorrow in his chest, he still smiled.

There was a long pause, none of two had it in them to break the comforting silence. It was obvious that both of them were in their own minds, with Juliet thinking of Miles, and Bad thinking of...

"Anyways, it's time to open the shop!" He leaved after patting Juliet's head, not being able to see the uncontrollable smile forming on her face.

Muffin.

~

Zak found himself thinking about... everything. Techno already left.

He was confused by Juliet's smile when she met him. He left her, but somehow, she looked happy to meet him. No resentment, no grudges, just relief.

How could she? She saw him as an older brother, but didn't hate him when he left. Zak saw... Sam as an older sister, and felt pain and anger when she left.

How could he not?

I'll always be there for you.

Yeah, right.

Why is he trapping himself in his memories anyway? He should just ignore them, they'll disappear soon.

Right?

Shoving all of the memories on the back of his mind, he felt... incomplete. Whatever, that's more tolerable than thinking about the incident.

He glanced at the room, only expensive stuff. He wishes he could just sell all of these, but because he 'deserves it and should appreciate it' (said by his 'mother'), he can't.

Of course he can't. Since when did his decision matter about anyways? Why should he make decisions about his own life?! Why should a stupid, idiotic, boy like him be good for anything!

Stupid.

Stupid.

Stupid...

How much he hated his life.

How much he hated his mother for setting him up in a stupid arranged marriage.

How much he hated his father stupidly let everything happen.

How much he hated...

How much he-

How much he hated his sister for leaving him in this pathetic excuse of a family.

He gasped for breath, the tears clogging his view. Shakily breathing, he grabbed his chest, grasp tightening in the expensive fabric. He let the tears flow. He shouldn't avoid this.

He can't avoid this.

But why is it so damn hard?

He just wants to live his life without thinking about this.

He just wants to live his life.

~

He sighed. He needed an escape. Something that where he could be himself. Not who his parents want him to be, not who his fiancée wants to be. Just him.

Something that could make him not give a care about the world. Is that so much to ask?

Oh, how he wished he could run away from the world into a field, feeling all of the plants graze his hands. His feets hurts, but does he care? No. He just keeps running and running, listening to the soft breeze and rustling of the ground each step, the soft night light shining on his face. Shining on his smile.

But the only thing he can do for now is dream. Maybe someday, he can find that field. Maybe someday, he'd find himself smiling.

He walked into his terrace, looking at the night sky. Each star twinkles, as if they're happy that he's there. He wished he's happy that he's there too. Maybe he'd shine as bright as them.

Do you think then, people would look at him and admire him? Maybe a kid would reach up to the sky and think, 'I wish I could reach that star.'

He felt a tinge of sadness at that thought.

~

Bad was up again. Of course, the demon barely slept through the night, only spending it thinking.

He always was restless at this time of the day. His mind was always racing as no one was there to distract him.

Maybe this was an opportunity. He could use this time to think. Just him, no one else. No one else to bother him. To distract him. To...

He hated this. He hated feeling lonely. Being alone is nice, but the horrid feeling stalking him is... not so nice.

He wishes that being with people could help, but... No. Even in a crowd of people he loves, he feels as if everyone's a stranger. He still feels lonely.

So, he decides to talk a walk. It would be a pretty dumb idea, considering the fact that it's getting late, but the worst crime that happened here is someone paying one gold less that intented.

He looks to the ground below him, and then he jumps.

Wow, is he glad he lives in the first floor.

08/05/21

Ah! Finally got a chapter posted. It's been a while, so how are y'all? :D