Everyone was pleasantly surprised by the phone call that Tera had received this morning. It was from Rikka, and she had good news.

"She's gettin' discharged today, guys! Yeah!" whooped Tera, twirling around the kitchen with her phone in her hand. She swept Shika into a hug, whirled around with her around the floor twice, let go and pranced over to the window, smiling widely. "I need to practice a song on the piano so we can duet when she feels better. Good thing I made you lug my keyboard here, Akira-senpai, hehe." Tera patted her keyboard with a cheeky grin. It was in a corner of the living room, below the window, so when she played, she could feel the summer breeze waft in. It was a nice spot to play the piano indeed.

Akira chuckled at her antics. "Of course. I risked my neck to chuck that thing into the backseat. And great to hear that Rikka-san is better. What time should we be going over to get her?"

"Accordin' to her, we can come over at ten and bring her back home, so that gives us an hour to get everythin' ready for a warm welcome. Her useless aunt expects us to take care of her and refuses to do anythin' but I ain't surprised at that," said Tera off-handedly. She pounced onto Akira and grabbed her around the neck, grinning as Akira shouted in alarm. "Can Eruna and Kureha-chan come along? It won't take you long to fetch them, would it? If you refuse me, I'll tickle you."

"No!" exclaimed Akira at once. Then she saw the evil glint in Tera's eyes and quickly corrected herself. "I mean, yes! Yes, I can pick them up, but no! No tickling me or I'll fling you into an oven and roast you alive. I'm serious!"

"Of course you're serious, senpai," smirked Tera, releasing her hold on Akira. "Ooh, I can't wait to see her! I hope she's as okay as she sounds!"

Akira crossed her legs and leaned back on the chair, saying confidently, "I'm sure she'll be okay. You'll probably see her smiling widely, eager to go home, right, Shika dear?"

"Huh?" Shika, who was standing against the fridge in a daze, was not listening to the conversation at all. She blanched and fumbled around for the words, getting only a squeak out. "Err... Y-yeah! Yup!"

Akira narrowed her eye. "You're not with us, Shika. What's on your mind right now?" she said quickly, catching on to her friend's detached mood.

"Uh... N-Nothing! It's fine!" blurted out Shika, waving a hand dismissively with a nervous smile.

"Nothing? I don't believe you... Which reminds me, I had wanted to ask you something along with Aido-san yesterday, but it was already late, so I didn't. I guess now's the time for it." Akira's expression darkened as she got up and took both Shika and Tera's wrists, pulling them out into the small garden. They didn't protest.

When Akira was like that, obeying her was the wisest choice.

She made them sit on the grass like a teacher seating her students, and she herself sat in seiza before them. Yuki bounded up to them from her kennel with a joyful bark, meaning to greet them with licks, but a stare from Akira shut the bubbly dog up. She whined and returned to her kennel hastily, tail tucked between her hind legs.

Tera whispered out of the corner of her mouth, anxiety lacing her voice. "Hey hey, senpai, did we do somethin' wrong? Why is she so strung up?"

"No idea..." lied Shika, her back rigid with dread. She knew why Akira was like this, but didn't want to tell Tera.

"Darn, is she mad with me about this mornin'? I should have left you guys alone."

"Ahaha, very funny..."

Akira's sharp voice stopped any further whispering, and they both jolted to the present. "I want an honest answer from the both of you out of this. No lies, no hiding anything. I'm tired of staying in the dark about this 'One Month' thing, so get it all out now, once and for all, especially you, Shika."

Shika gulped. Her palms became moist with sweat almost instantly. How did Akira know about the One Month?

Next to her, Tera fidgeted uncomfortably, tugging at the grass and tearing them up. She looked up, opened her mouth to say something, then shut it again, staring at the torn up leaves.

"Well?" Akira folded her arms across her chest and glared at them, making her look ten times scarier than she already was. "I've tried to ask nicely, but I never get an answer, so I have to resort to force. If no one talks, I'm going to lock you both out of the house to think about it. Maybe the summer sun will cook some sense into those half-wet brains of yours."

"E-Eh? No need to do that, senpai!" yelped Tera, shooting Akira an apologetic yet nervous grin. "W-We'll talk, okay? Don't get all jumpy, please." She elbowed Shika, hissing out of the corner of her mouth, "Talk, you deer, or we'll get thrown out of house and home!"

Cornered and defeated, Shika could see no way out of this. She gave a sigh and looked away, mumbling, "Okay, I'll talk... But it may not make sense to you. That's why I avoided talking about it."

Akira's face changed at once, her authoritative-samurai facade dropping away. Back to her normal self whenever Shika needed emotional support, she leaned forward and clasped Shika's hands, saying, "Certain experiences that you've had may not make sense to others, but to you, they're as real as concrete. Others may not feel its impact, but you do. And as your friend, I will help you in any way possible to overcome your past." Her expression softened with compassion. "So... don't ever hesitate to tell me anything, Shika. We're here to help each other out, after all."

Tera had to hide a snort of laughter. "I swear... You two are perfect for each other. Get married already."

"Now's not the time for this, Aido!" shouted Akira hotly, flushing red as her hands whipped away from Shika's. "Really, stop your yuri jokes, they're not funny!"

"I only speak the truth, woman. Why, you should take a look at yourselves, and you'd agree. It's just so unfortunate that I happen to ship yuri, and you two fit the bill perfectly for me."

"We're only friends, so there! Who says friends can't be affectionate with each other?"

Shika simply sighed, shaking her head. If she didn't say anything now, their argument would draw out until kingdom come. "It happened eight months ago-" she said loudly, then stopped when she noticed her two friends fixing her with intense stares. That seemed to have caught their attention.

"Er... Sorry about that," coughed Shika, lowering her voice in embarrassment. "So, I... I died eight months ago. Yeah..."

"You what?!" screamed Akira, shaking her friend's shoulders in disbelief. "How can you die if you're here with me now? Oh God, don't tell me you're an illusion! Maybe I'm in a dream. Someone slap me!"

Tera leaped up at the opportunity, grinning madly. "I'd gladly wake you up to reality, senpai. Ehehe..."

"N-No, I'm not an illusion, and you're not in a dream. Calm down and let me explain," said Shika nervously, pulling Tera back down. This was why she didn't want to talk about it. Even though Akira was smart, she freaked out way too easily when it came to shocking news regarding her close friends. She'd once witnessed Akira going into complete breakdown when someone had pranked her about her aunt's death.

It wasn't pretty.

"It's complicated, so I need you to listen carefully," continued Shika warily. She was dreading her next words. Maybe she shouldn't have started it with her death.

The two girls nodded, but stayed quiet, waiting for their friend to speak. She looked into Akira's eye, her face set in grim stone. "Remember when you left for Canada on a business trip with your parents eight months ago, Akira? We didn't contact each other, did we?"

"Not really... Which made me worry about you a whole lot. Why are you bringing this up now?" said Akira inquisitively.

"I was busy fighting for my life back then, that's why." Shika craned her neck back, staring into the blue sky and bright sun. "But that was my last fight. I managed to conquer the Witch in the end..."

"Hang up there, you're not makin' sense, senpai," interrupted Tera. "First, you said you died. Now, you're sayin' you had a fight with a Witch while Akira-senpai was gone, so that would mean you're alive. Please explain cause I'm really just a dim-witted oaf who can't understand complicated stuff."

"I'm not very good at storytelling, am I?" chuckled Shika dryly. "I guess I'll start over properly-"

Yuki gave an explosive bark from her kennel, causing all three girls to jump.

"Wraiths! It's an ambush!" she snarled, running over to Shika. True to her word, nearly threescore of the monstrosities emerged from the forest, their cloaks hiding away their bodies as they glided towards the Puella Magi with a primal lust.

"Damn those cursed Wraiths!" Akira spat, transforming. She was so close to hearing Shika's past, but the Wraiths turned up at the wrong time and interfered with everything. Now, she would have to wait for another opportunity to present itself, and who knew when that would be. Her twin rapiers coalesced from the moisture in the air, keen and murderous, impatient to hack at the pixel-composed horrors.

"Nyaaww, I'm tired of all this fightin'! I need a damn break from this," growled Tera, her arms bursting into her fiery claws. "Well, give the orders, or I'm just gonna rush 'em and give 'em blood'n vinegar!"

"Stay your claws, Tera-san," warned Shika, already atop a transformed Yuki. "Akira, what's the strategy?"

"Strategy?" Akira snorted dismissively and sent a rapier flying at the nearest Wraith's head. The weapon pierced through the monster easily, embedding itself in the head of the Wraith behind it, killing two at once. "There's really no need for one. I don't see any Brocken-Wraith with them, so they're likely a disorganised rabble. Take out the front ranks quickly and savagely and we might just scare away the rest. Got it?"

"Aye aye, sir. I like the plan. Tis' simple," grinned Tera. Without waiting any longer, she gave a deep roar and leapt at the foremost Wraith, digging her claws into its neck and ripping it apart. In quick succession, she swung up and grabbed another head, twisting it off and tossing it into the back ranks. Infused with her fire magic, it detonated like a bomb, killing three more. On the other side, Akira threw her remaining rapier at a Wraith on her left, and commanded the weapon's ice-body to spike outwards. Spear-like icicles erupted from the weapon within the unlucky Wraith's body, impaling those closest to it. Meanwhile, Shika spurred Yuki onwards into the centre rank, brandishing her warhammer left and right. It took down four Wraiths as the dog bulldozed her way among them, snapping at the flowing cloaks and causing widespread mayhem. More Wraiths poured out from the forest, undeterred by their slain brethren.

"I'm sorry, Akira... I promise I'll tell you about it when the time is right." Shika battered away at her foes with scary determination, mentally apologising to her friend. Wraiths fell like ninepins around her, unable to withstand her might.

She had a feeling that Akira wouldn't have to wait any much longer until the truth came out. Secrets were never meant to be kept from friends after all.

***

Rikka wandered around the ward restlessly, taking care to avoid the other patients. They reminded her of terrible things, and right now, she did not want to remember anything of the sort. She glanced at the white wall clock at the entrance to the ward, noting the time. It was nine, and she was expecting someone to be here, before anyone else.

Deciding to walk to the doors, she kept her eyes strictly front, away from the moaning patients along the aisle. She tugged at the collar of her hospital gown nervously as she walked past a patient who was swathed from head to toe in horrific bandages. A nurse stationed at the entrance smiled at her warmly, asking if she needed anything. Rikka shook her head, saying that she was waiting for a visitor. After a while, the nurse got up and left, taking some papers along with her. She must have had some work to do inside.

Alone now, Rikka leaned against the doorway, staring through the window at the blue sky outside. The corridor leading to the wards was deserted, even though visiting hours had just started. Rikka gnawed at her lip, wondering why there weren't any people coming to visit their hurt loved ones. Were hospitals as cursed as she thought they were? Maybe she was just paranoid?

"Rikka!"

Her ears perked up at the sound of the familiar voice. Striding over towards her purposefully, with a concerned yet relieved look on his face, was her boyfriend.

"Shin-kun!" Rikka broke into a smile, straightening herself eagerly as she briefly forgot about her burdens. Shin increased his pace, and upon reaching her, promptly folded her into a hug. Rikka melted into his arms right away, feeling comforted by his presence. To be loved unconditionally by someone was the best thing she could ask for, and right now, she wished that the love would never end.

It was indeed a sad wish to have. Her smile was lost upon her lips when she thought of what would come next.

A lady walked past them, wearing a bemused look on her face. Shin came out of the embrace and bowed his head respectfully at the lady, as if saying 'excuse us'. She hurried past them, not wanting to disturb anything between the young couple.

"So, what did the doctor say about your condition?" asked Shin, as Rikka looped an arm around his. They returned to the ward because Rikka was not allowed to leave until ten.

"... He said I suffered from an extreme panic attack that sent me into convulsions. Aside from that, he couldn't find anything else wrong with me," replied Rikka in her pleasing, lilting accent, leading him to her cubicle. She had left out the part about her black eyes, because, honestly speaking, Shin didn't need to know about it.

Everything was about to end anyway. The less he knew, the better it would be for the two of them.

She invited him to sit on the bed next to her and held onto his hand, trying to keep him and his touch with her for as long as she could. "He wanted me to stay a bit more, but seeing as I'm already fine, and there are new patients coming in, I'm to be discharged today," she whispered, looking down at her toes. She was thankful she didn't need to stay any longer. One night was enough of a terror for her.

"Ah, I see." Shin squeezed her hand affectionately. "I was worried sick about you, Rikka. Thank the Gods you're okay." He looked at her with so much love, Rikka felt like crying.

After all, she was about to do something unforgivable to him.

"And hey, I brought something for you. Hold on." He fished about his pockets and took out a lovely piece of peppermint, holding it out to her with a smile. "It's not much, but I thought you might like something sweet, after your ordeal and all."

Rikka took the candy with a trembling hand, unable to stop her tears from flowing down. Why was Shin such a nice guy? It would make things all the more difficult for her later on.

She quickly got up from the bed and drew the curtains around the cubicle so that they would have more privacy, and to not offend the other patients around. Choking on a sob, she threw herself into Shin's arms and started crying.

"Hey, what's wrong, Rikka-chan?" Now that they were 'alone', he gathered her up and hugged her tight, feeling her overwhelming sorrow permeating the very air around them. Something wasn't right. Although he knew that Rikka was a very emotional person and was prone to cry at any moment, this time, it felt different.

It felt like deceit and doom shrouded under a veil of tears.

He simply held onto her, getting puzzled and worried for his girlfriend. He hadn't seen her in person since the summer holidays had started, and now that he had, he saw that she looked... pale, with all the essence of life sucked out from her. Her beautiful eyes, he now realised with a shock, seemed like empty orbs of nothingness. No cute sparkle, no flirty glint... Absolutely nothing.

What had happened to her?

"Rikka...? What's wrong?" he asked her gently. He was aware that he may be asking something he shouldn't, but he couldn't bear to see her like this. "You can tell me, like you've always done. You don't need to keep secrets from me, and I don't keep mine from you either."

Rikka pressed her face into his shirt as she controlled her sobbing, at last bringing it down to a hiccup. "I-I can't tell you... I'm sorry..."

Shin placed a hand on her head, stroking her hair softly. "It's alright. I understand. But when the time comes, please tell me everything... Okay?"

Swallowing hard, she nodded unnaturally, knowing that she was lying to him. She lifted her head, not looking at Shin. "Okay... Hey, can you excuse me for a while? I need to go to the bathroom..."

"Sure. You want me to walk you there?" Ever concerned, the kind boy offered his help, but Rikka turned him down.

"I'll be fine. Just stay here awhile."

She made her way to the bathroom, dutifully keeping her eyes away from the other patients. Once inside, she found it to be empty. She entered the shower cubicle at the far end and locked the door, burying her face in her hands.

Four days. It only took four days after Homura's 'visit' for her to go into a complete breakdown. She couldn't handle any more of this mental torment. It had to end, one way or another, or she'd go into Despair. She'd contemplated getting Shin out of the mess she had made by breaking up with him, then bargaining with Homura for his life in exchange for the grief she had sustained. As for Eruna, she'd send her away to her aunt, beg her to take her in and then lie about her going off overseas to study with a friend and was never coming back. And last of all... Tera. Tera, she wasn't afraid for. That girl could take care of herself just fine, and she now had two powerful allies with her. She would be fine.

It was the other two that she was worried about.

She removed her hands from her face and stared morosely at the tiles. It was not going to work. Homura would just hunt them down... Maybe killing herself would be the easiest way out. If she killed herself in front of Homura, then she'd have no reason to harm Eruna and Shin anymore. She would gladly die for their sakes.

But... what if Homura still decided to kill them out of anger?

No, she mustn't destroy her Soul Gem yet. There might still be a way out of this.

Think! Come on, there must be a loophole in her orders! Frustrated and driven near crazy, Rikka slid to the floor of the cubicle, squatting and rocking on her heels. Think, Rikka! There must be a way to save everyone without doing this to them...

A hand reached out of nowhere and landed on her shoulder. "Rikka Sayuki. You look even worse than the last time I saw you."

Shouting in alarm, Rikka knocked her head against the door and stared wildly about her. She came face to face with the Demon, simpering above her. "Time is ticking away, yet you haven't killed Tera Aido. Do you really want your sister and boyfriend to die?"

Filled with a sudden hatred, Rikka summoned an axe and swung it at Homura's head, leaving a glowing blue trail in the air like a neon blur. But the Demon laughed and ducked at a terrifying speed, and the weapon thudded into the wall, cracking it. "My, my, you really are befitting of the title 'assassin'. If I had been any slower, I would have been killed by your axe a hundred times over," drawled Homura, chuckling.

"You... You're mad!" yelled Rikka, her features contorted with rage as Homura's laughing intensified. "I won't carry out your order, so there! You'll only hurt my loved ones over my dead body!"

"Sacrificing yourself now, are you? Such a noble but stupid act. Reminds me of someone I once knew..." Homura said, twirling a strand of her hair as she thought about Sayaka Miki, the fallen knight. "Both of you fight for justice, but the difference between you and her is that you're more selfish, fighting only for the ones you truly love, while she fights for everyone. Can't say which is worse, actually. In the end, it was all in vain for her..." Homura's purple eyes flashed dully at Rikka. "Will your sacrifice be in vain too, assassin Magi?"

Rikka's nerves were fraying. Every second spent with the Demon drove her to more insane heights. "You'll see... My sacrifice won't be in vain. You'll never kill Tera-chan. She'll be the one to kill you instead..." growled the blunette, her bottomless pits of eyes glaring back at Homura.

"I understand that as you forsaking your task to me?" questioned Homura with a pout. "You make me so unhappy, Sayuki."

Her breath caught in her throat. Whenever someone used the word 'unhappy' on her, it was as if a pile driver had smashed onto her chest and crushed her heart. "Don't you dare use those words on me..." whined Rikka feebly, attempting to sound fiercer than she felt.

Homura knew she had Rikka trapped again. With soft teasing words, she cornered the girl skilfully like a spider spinning its web around its prey. "It tears me up to have you not carry out my wish. I'm so sad about it; I don't think I'd be able to sleep tonight. How can you do this to me, you cruel, heartless girl?"

"Stop!" barked Rikka, covering her hands over her ears. "I don't want to hear anything coming out from your snake-like mouth!"

"You know it's too late for that now, right? I just need to keep pleading you, and you'd do it anyway, against your better judgement. That's just the way your wish works, isn't it?" said Homura craftily. "Please? Make me happy by carrying out my wish. Or I'll cry and show you what a mean person you've been." Homura gave a sniffle, as if threatening to turn on her crocodile tears.

Rikka slumped over. She was defeated. Again.

"I-I'll do it... Just- Stop. Don't say anything else."

"Gladly," grinned the Demon, back to her devious self. "You have two more days before I kill your beloved ones. But, if you want me to spare your sister and boyfriend, then break all ties with them - tonight, if possible. I'll wipe their memories clean of your existence; they won't miss a thing."

At this, Rikka gasped. Here was an opportunity for her to save Shin and Eruna. Her previous plans may work out after all. However, the Demon was not done speaking yet.

"And after you do that and kill Aido, join me as my personal assassin. There are a few more bugs that I need squashing other than your friend, and I have a feeling you know who they are - a certain ice queen and a girl with a dog. Promise me this, and your loved ones will be spared. I'm even saving them the pain of grieving over you by erasing you from their memory. Is this a deal, Sayuki? Join me, and you'll save them." Homura waited for a response, licking her lips meaningfully.

But Rikka did not reply. Instead, she glared at the Demon with increasing hatred, her white scleroses blackening as she unconsciously tried to paralyse her foe. Homura was trapping her, forcing her to kill Tera... but what choice did she have?

"Alright... I'll join you," snarled Rikka finally, glaring at Homura. Her voice was like metal screeching upon metal -harsh and angry. Homura, however, showed no signs of seizing up from the paralysing waves her eyes were emitting. Maybe her power did not work on the Demon. "You have to spare them, or I'll kill you myself. You won't know you're dead until you see my blade between your ribs..."

"Splendid! Thank you for joining me, your help is really appreciated." The purple-eyed girl smirked and gave a mock bow, unfazed by the threat. She continued, "I shall hide away and witness as you break up with your precious Shin Kobayashi. I believe he's just outside, waiting for you. If you don't do it, then he'll be a goner by tonight..." As suddenly as she had appeared, Homura vanished, leaving behind a lingering aura of despicable taste.

When Rikka exited the bathroom, she saw Shin standing there looking worried. He went up to her, saying, "You were gone for so long, I was starting to get scared. I almost had a nurse go in to look for you."

She gave him an apologetic smile, the black seeping back into the depths of her eyeballs. It wouldn't do to stun Shin, nor anyone else, right now. "Sorry. There was this piece of dirt under my nail that took some time washing out," she lied expertly. Never before in her life had she lied so much; she was becoming accustomed to it, and she did not enjoy it at all.

Back at her bed, she glanced at the clock again, noting that it was now half-past nine. Only thirty more minutes until the others came to take her away. It was now or never. She had already set her heart to it earlier, but now, with Homura opening the gates of hope for Shin's survival, she found renewed motivation. She was going to save him.

"Shin-kun, I have something to tell you..." She creased the hem of her dress apprehensively, preparing herself for what would come next. The curtains were once more drawn around them for privacy. She had made sure there were no cracks between them, for what she was about to do might offend the other patients.

"What is it, Rikka?" He frowned slightly, noticing her tense posture.

She looked away from him, blushing. "This would be rather sudden, but I don't have any other opportunity to do it after today... So..." On impulse, she took Shin's face in her hands and kissed him on the lips most abruptly, causing Shin to flinch. In all their years together, they had never shared a kiss... not until now. However, he did not pull back, allowing the kiss to draw out longer. Rikka broke it off after a while, tears in her eyes.

"I love you, Shin. That's why I must do something unforgivable to you now."

Though still stunned from the close contact, Shin quickly pulled himself together. He was getting very uneasy. "What's happening? Why do I have a bad feeling?"

"I have to leave you. For good. Our relationship ends today, right here, right now."

"H-Huh?" Shin's body froze up, petrified by her sudden betrayal. "I-I'm not following this conversation..."

"Something will happen to you if you stay with me any longer, Shin!" said Rikka, filled with melancholic passion. "Please, fulfil my last wish and don't see me anymore. From now on, I am no one to you..." She took her hand away from his face, and as he tried to take it back, she stopped him. "If you really do love me, then you will respect my request and leave. It's for your own good."

Agitated, Shin tried to reason with her, though he kept his voice low. "Rikka, I do love you, and you know that, but I'm not about to leave you. You can't ask me to do something as outrageous as that, not right after you kissed me... Not right after our first kiss... Don't do this to me, please."

"You'll die if you stay with me! Please, for your own good..." cried Rikka. "I can't let you die..."

"Just explain everything to me, and we can work it out, okay?" he said urgently, though still managing to sound caring. "I won't let you go through whatever it is you're enduring right now alone. There's a reason why couples stay as couples - they work things out together, and we've always done that."

"I'm afraid this is one thing that cannot be solved. My fate has been sealed. In a few more hours, you will never see me again..." She bit her lower lip, hardening her will to utter the dreadful words. "And if that's not clear, then let me say this - I'm breaking up with you, Shin Kobayashi."

"How can you say that with such a straight face?" Shin wrapped his arms around her, as if that could shake her out of whatever state of mind she was in right now. "Rikka, what's wrong? Tell me, please! Don't shut me out like this!"

Nothing else he said after that reached her ears. She had carried out Homura's wish; in her mind, she heard the Demon's voice speaking to her: "You really are like Sayaka Miki, selfless to a fault... I keep my end of the bargain - I won't kill him anymore." Broken up inside, Rikka sat there numbly as Shin hugged her, crying... Boys who could cry openly were the hardest types of boys to find. To be able to freely express oneself was what Rikka valued in a relationship, and she had found that in her time spent with Shin.

But it was all over now. The beautiful love between them was shattered by the shrewd Demon, never to be mended. A shadow passed over them and cloaked Shin within it. The next thing she knew, he pushed her away with a dazed look and exited her stall without so much as a goodbye.

Rikka Sayuki no longer existed in his life.

Silently thanking him for everything that he had ever done for her, Rikka let him leave, tears pouring down her cheeks. She did not wipe them away. Now, all that was left was to deal with her sister and Tera. And after that... She choked, looking at her poisoned, fragmented Soul Gem. It had endured a lot, and was near breaking point, bubbling with foul liveliness.

A foolish laugh escaped her. Very soon, she'd be able to let it all go. Very soon, she wouldn't even know herself anymore... Very, very soon, she'd be free from her mental torture. All she had to do was to endure another night, and it would be over. She only hoped that Tera would be strong enough to face what was going to come next for her...

"I'm sorry, Tera-chan." She finally wiped away her tears, hiding her face away with her blue curtain of hair. "Forgive me for what I'm about to do to you..."

I'm terribly sorry for the long wait for this chapter, my dear readers... I've been caught up in a lot of stuff, one which was the results day of my examination. To make up for it, this will be a double-chapter update. I hope you will all continue to enjoy the story, and thank you for reading ^^

~SaitheVivana