Shadow POV

-Darling, what will you choose? Either way, your future will not have a pleasant ending._ I can feel my aunt's ghastly hands grab around my shoulders as she tries to pull me into her arms. Every breath she took against the back of my neck sickened me. I can even smell the cigarette. I'm trying my best to push down the anger welling up inside me; I don't know how much longer I can keep on this fake smile.

-Is this some game to you guys? Because if this is a game, I should know some rules earlier._ I turn back to face my aunt and uncle. I can no longer keep my cool after hearing what my uncle told me.

  I can feel myself quivering a bit as I look up at their faces. Since the day Aiko left, I never wanted to look at them because I was scared to get hurt. They always appear to wear a happy face mask every time we meet. Their laughs keep haunting me when I try to sleep. But today, I don't have that feeling anymore;  anger is taking control of me.

-Stop whining, brat. Answer the question you choose yes or no._ My uncle grabbed my head and looked at me with mad eyes. I could feel his hand getting stronger and stronger as if he wanted to crush my skull. I can feel the killing intent from him. A guy as desirous and abusive has to kill his daughter for money; this pressure from him is not strange.

-Your friends or your life?_ My aunt pressed me closer, whispering in my ears. Those words made my blood boil. It's funny how what I was always scared of has come true - I put the people I love in danger again.

-Do I have any other choice? I thought you were clever._ I sneer and glance at my uncle. I will do anything to protect them. I don't want to be left alone - don't want to leave them. But if I have to, I won't hesitate to let go.

-I choose my friends, dear uncle. Keep your promise to leave them alone after our deal. Thank you for taking care of me all those years._ I bow down to him and express my gratitude. I'm sure they are so satisfied right now.

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I wiped the blood that remained on my face. I didn't expect that taking too much medicine would have such a harmful effect.

I coughed non-stop for 3 minutes. My throat ached with every cough like it was about to burst.

There was still some blood left on my shirt, and the sink didn't look any better. I looked in the mirror;  my eyes bag were black, and my skin was more white than before. I look so dull and dead, but that's okay anyway. I don't have much time left.

-" Get rid of those remembrances, you idiot!"_ I splashed water on my face to pull myself out of my thought then ruffled my hair. I can't forget what happened last night, why can't I live happily with my friends?

I gritted my teeth in rage, sat down on the cold floor, and leaned my back against the bathroom door. My heart tightens every time I think about yesterday's contract. Tears seemed to want to pour out but couldn't. That fake smile has been on my face for so long that it remained forever.

I don't care about myself - I don't care about death. But I never had any suicidal thoughts. I let fate decide what will happen to me - I will live if tomorrow is still there. You can say that I am too careless with myself or my life. I'm just too tired to fight back something already settled.

But even so, I never thought of killing myself. Somewhere inside me, I still believe everything will soon be okay. And dying is not the solution to anything. Maybe because I never care about myself. When I have someone to care about, I do everything. Losing anyone is hurtful but better than suffering the whole life.

-I'm so tired._ I closed my eyes in empathy; my feelings were conflicting.

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I look in the mirror in my room. I'm using a blindfold to cover my white eye and then comb my hair again with a comb, which I just combed this morning and just now made messy. I should fix myself away from all these bad habits.

Wear the familiar half-black, half-blue hoodie with black jeans. I don't know how to dress. Usually, I don't care about my look.

-"Will it be cold today?"_I thought to myself, the weather here is erratic anyway. After thinking a bit, I still decided to wear only this shirt.

Today is the day I will go out with my two best friends. No, we would have had a good time if it hadn't happened yesterday. I didn't go to the riverside as usual last night. Arashi must be very sad. Aliaa usually beats him, but she will always defends Arashi. I'm sure she is disappointed in me too. Meeting them now seems impossible.

I want to forgive him, as (the illusion of) Akuma told me. But I can't even forgive myself. I hate lying, but I'm a liar. Forgiving is not that easy, and I can't even be sure that Arashi and Aliaa are not mad at me. More and more, I'm sinking lower into the ocean of those thoughts.

Unexpectedly I heard someone screaming my name from outside. I fell backward and banged my head on the edge of the bed. I don't want to exaggerate, but I'm surprised my head hasn't bled yet. I didn't dare to scream for fear of making my aunt and uncle angry, so when I fell, I just gritted my teeth and endured. I have to give up the habit of going into the room with my feet wet and then slipping and falling like this.

-The hell? Who shouted my name?_ I sat up, rubbing my aching head. Wondering if it was Aliaa because I don't think anyone in the neighborhood remembers my name.

I was suddenly anxious. If it was Aliaa, then she is in danger right now. I need to run down right before my uncle opens the front door. As fast as I could, I opened my bedroom door and then ran downstairs. Please, please don't let her get hurt. I don't want to see someone I adore injured.

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Arashi POV

Under the clear blue sky, I enjoy each cool breeze. The sun has risen, shining its warm light on all things. I watched the clouds drift by gently in the wind. Listen to the murmur of the stream and the rustling of the leaves on the branches. I'm standing in front of Shadow's house right now. I could say that I'm so excited for later. But at the same time, my heart still flutters every time I think he won't come.

" I should change this negative way of thinking and should be more positive." _ I thought to myself.

While I was enjoying the peaceful morning atmosphere of the neighborhood, my ears seemed to tear when I heard Aliaa's scream calling Shadow's name.

-Aliaa, why did you yell!? What did I tell you?_ I worriedly shook Aliaa as I asked her. Although I told her not to make noise when standing in front of Shadow's house because his aunt and uncle were very strict, Aliaa immediately forgot.

I don't see Shadow's "adopted parents" very often, but once did meet his uncle. Somehow when he walked by, I seemed to hear someone's screams, and it gave chills down my spine. His eyes frighten me - they look so dark and dull. That guy always gives me a bad feeling.

-No problem! I'll apologize later to them. _ Aliaa told me with a smile, but that smile did not reassure me at all. Usually, Shadow would come down to open the door, but that was when he answered the phone and our friendship wasn't as complicated as it is now.

"Why didn't he answer the call!?"_ I wonder and am about to call him again. If Shadow is angry, he can hang up. Or did he put it on silent mode and leave it somewhere?

Suddenly, the door swung open, startling us both.

-S-Shadow?_ Aliaa said, a little surprised. -Why are you out of breath? What's up?

I also just stood there watching in shock. Shadow's leg was full of bruises. I can see he's using a blindfold for his right eye. His clothes were a bit sloppy, his face was pale and worried, and he was breathing heavily. Did he just run? Why is he running?

-Thanh god you are fine, Aliaa._ Shadow hugged Aliaa with a smile that seemed to be relieved of a burden.

-Um, I'm fine._ Aliaa was silent for a moment but then patted Shadow's head to comfort him, making Shadow calm down and smile.

I walked closer to them, helping Shadow and Aliaa up. I could see his hesitation as he took my hand, though I don't blame him.

-Anyways, why are you guys here?_ Shadow asked us in surprise. It hurt to think that he didn't remember what we spoke about the day before. Hearing that, I also wanted to give up. I don't know if this plan will be successful.

-Have you forgotten?_Aliaa was as surprised as I was. I can sense her displeasure.

-We don't have any meetings today. And I have no intention of going out with the two of you.'_ Shadow said, closing the door and turning his hand toward us.

-This can't be real, Shadow! You remember it, don't you?

-No, I don't._ Shadow rolled his eyes and spoke in an annoyed voice. It looks like he's not happy with keeping on being asked questions like this.

- Come on, Aliaa, let's go home. He doesn't remember any of this._ I pulled Aliaa back, signaled to give up, and left. His attitude was as if he wanted to keep his distance from us.

It wasn't long before Aliaa turned to me, her face filled with disappointment. I seem to understand her mood at that time. I clenched my fist, but it doesn't mean I am angry at Shadow. Did I make a big mistake? Can I change it? I don't want to lose him like this.

- Haha! Look at your face Arashi!_ Unexpectedly, I heard the familiar laugh of the other person, looked up, and saw Shadow hugging his stomach laughing.

-Sorry guys, I couldn't help but laugh. His face is so funny! Am I that good at acting? You guys fall for that lie. I can't believe it!_ Shadow shed a tear from laughing. Then he runs to us and grabs both of us from behind.

-Sorry, buddies! I wanted to see you guys' reaction. As revenge for making me bump my head, this is okay, right?_ He smiled lightly Aliaa also brightened up because of that. She turned around and squeezed Shadow's cheek because he dared to tease me. Her sunny smile was back.

I feel so much better - my best friend is back to normal. I don't know if he has forgiven me yet, but seeing him happy is enough to make me happy.

-So? Where are we going today?_ Shadow says while protecting his cheek from Aliaa. -I can see you guys have a lot of stuff back there.

-I would like to see you guess. It won't be hard; I'll tell you that. _ I smack Shadow's shoulder. He just laughed and shook his head in defeat.

-Well, now that you boys are ready, I have a surprise for both! Let's go!_ Aliaa drags both of us and starts bringing us somewhere. I'm not sure where she's taking us because she said "surprise" earlier. But it won't change our plan too much, so I don't mind.

It's a bit embarrassing that I can't get out of her arms. Shadow next to me looked at me with a weird face. (Shadow is shipping his best friends)

-"You have changed a lot, Arashi."_ That voice echoed in my mind again.

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On the way, we had a good time chatting together. I love how the weather is beautiful today. It's not too sunny or hot and not too cloudy. What a perfect day for a picnic!

We stopped at a convenience store where we don't usually go. Although we were barely at the picnic spot, Aliaa said she needed to buy something, so we rested for a while there. Shadow and I sat outside waiting for Aliaa because both of us needed anything. Although we casually talked with Aliaa all the way, we couldn't say a word alone.

Maybe he still hasn't forgiven me. I'm not too surprised, to be honest with you.

-Sorry, Arashi._ I turned to the blue-haired boy in surprise. Today he seems to like to surprise me.

-I shouldn't have been so harsh. I'm also sorry for not coming to the river last night._ He scratched his head sheepishly.

-It's okay, at least I can see and hear you play the guitar by the window last night._ I said with a hint of mockery, breaking the previously uncomfortable aura.

-You heard me play!?_ Shadow stood up straight after hearing that. It made me happy to see him so nervous.

-You play well, to be honest. Are you afraid that I will criticize you?_ I laugh

-No, it's because it's embarrassing._ Shadow's voice softened. He bent down to hide his slightly red face from embarrassment.

-Well, I'm sorry too, Shadow._ I said, thinking about what happened the other day makes me sad. Looking out into the distance, I thought for a moment about what I had done.

-What I did was unacceptable, and it hurt Aliaa. All because of my selfishness back then, but I'm grown up now. I am not sure if I can correct it, but I will make up for it. I will try to make things back to what they used to be._ I clenched my fists again, suppressing the emotions that exploded within me.

-"Life isn't fair, is it?"_ Shadow said, placing his hand on my head. I could feel the warmth of his hand.

-I forgive you, Arashi. We, humans, make mistakes all the time, and I have no right to accuse or be angry with you. Do your best, Arashi. Do your best to change. And don't worry, I'll change with you too. I also made many mistakes, and I will say that they cause lots of trouble too._ Shadow said confidently.

I turned to him, how happy I was to hear those words of encouragement. I've always wanted to listen to those words from someone. Tears are about to overflow, but I will not shed tears on this special day.

-Thank you, Shadow.

-I also thank you, Arashi.

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Me: MERRY (A BIT) LATE CHRISTMAS! :)

I was thinking about posting this in the morning, but right now is already 11:25 pm :)

Ye this chapter doesn't have that much going on but I have my motivation back and will post chapter 14 soon.

I won't explain anything about the short story "salvation" that I just post about 4-5 days ago, But I will say that it is in the future, feel free to tell me your theory about this "world" :)

Anyways, I'm pretty tired right now so I'll be off. See you guys later!

Hope you enjoy this!