Chapter 19
Hunters side of the manor.
(Joseph's POV)
"Joseph."
Surprised, I turned around and saw a blue, female silhouette.
"Mary." I opened my lips to say her name.
"All I've got to say is be careful." She murmured before her mirror image faded away.
"What?-" I said in a confused tone while scratching my head. That's weird...
(A/N: Heh, I bet you thought that was Aesop. *smirks*)
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Survivors' side of the manor.
(Kevin's POV)
As I was practicing throwing my lassos, I heard quick, uneven knocks on my door.
"Come in." I shouted before continuing my practice.
"Hey, Kevin."
Surprised by the voice, I didn't notice the person who knocked was the silver-haired boy. Well, I mean, he's the last person I would expect to visit me.
"Aesop? What brings you here?" I questioned the boy as I stopped throwing my lassos.
"Yeah, I've got a question." Aesop said as he closed the door behind him and sitting down on the sofa.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I was wondering if Jack was secretive or something when he killed... Hildegard..." He said, while slowly saying her name, he seems afraid that I would get angry.
"Eh... I don't know... He's always been weird and I don't really know how he acts besides in-game. Don't ask me about Jack, I'm not the person for it." I explained. He should really find him instead of asking me...
"Then who should I ask?..." He slowly said while his silver hair drooped down his face.
"Eh... Ask Naib... He knows Jack better than anyone else." I said while looking back at Aesop. "Probably." I added.
"Uh... Okay then..." He said before nodding and saying goodbye.
As I heard the door close, I sighed and continued practicing.
---
(Aesop's POV)
Why would Naib know about Jack better than anyone else? He's also a survivor.
This question has been ringing in my head ever since I left Kevin's room.
Shouldn't a hunter know Jack better than anyone else? Instead of Naib? I thought as I looked down and contemplated.
After a few seconds, I decided that I would just visit him.
However, just when I continued walking, I bumped into something. No. More precisely, it was someone.
I raised my head. But just when I did so, I heard the voice I so longed to hear.
"Aesop."
"J-Joseph?" I said with a quivering voice.
"W-what are you doing here?" He said before looking away.
"What do you mean? I-" Just before I was gonna continue, I realized I wasn't familiar with any of my surroundings.
"Why are you here?" He asked again.
"I-I didn't mean to! I was gonna go to Naib's room. I'm leaving." I said before turning my back against Joseph.
However, I felt the temperature drop to a certain degree.
I shrugged as I felt cold all over and turned around to face Joseph again. By now, his face has darkened and it was like he was releasing this seemingly murderous aura.
Why did he look so... Terrifying?
"What? You were going to that Mercenary's room? Why?!" Joseph shouted at me.
"I-" I said before suddenly stopping.
Why did I need to tell him what I'd do? It's not like we're together anyway.
"It doesn't concern you." I said after quickly gathering my courage.
"What?!"
---
Joseph's POV
"Is this man trying to anger me to death?!" I thought after hearing Aesop tell me It doesn't concern me.
"What do you mean It doesn't concern me?!" I bellowed in rage.
My heart was beating rapidly as I felt my breath shorten.
"Exactly what I meant." Aesop said before looking down.
Enraged, I gripped his shoulders tightly as I felt my chest tighten.
"Aesop."
He didn't budge.
"Aesop, Goddammit look at me!" I screamed.
My voice was quivering and my eyes were teary. I felt like I was on the verge of collapsing.
The silver-haired man stared at me straight in the eye. His brows were furrowed and I felt like he didn't wanna talk to me.
However, that little frown has made me feel conflicted.
Does he hate me? Is he annoyed? Should I just leave? But I still have questions to ask him!
Thousands of questions popped out of my mind, I felt overwhelmed by all the stuff that was happening now.
So overwhelmed, that I didn't notice the silhouette behind me.
"You probably hate me..." I subconsciously said without realizing I blurted out something.
Aesop looked shocked. He gritted his teeth before finally saying.
"Joseph..." Aesop mumbled before sighing.
"I'm sorry... It's just that... I wanted to ask him about someone..." He softly explained before hugging me.
"I'm sorry..." He said again.
I felt his fist tighten as he hugged me. His face was buried on my chest and I could feel his tears as they seeped through my clothes.
I hugged the small man before me and said in a soothing tone.
"It's alright, I-I'm sorry for getting mad at you too."
We stayed like that for a few minutes, until Aesop finally stopped crying.
"Are you alright?" I asked while patting his head.
He nodded.
"Aesop." I sighed. "Everything you do concerns me, alright?"
"Joseph... I left you for a reason, and you know that. We aren't a thing anymore! So please! Stop bothering me!" Aesop blurted out.
I stayed silent.
"I'm leaving." Aesop said before giving me one last hug.
He sighed. Suddenly, just when he was about to leave, Aesop had a look of panic plastered on his face.
I've rarely seen him panic. It looked like he was looking at something behind me.
"Joseph?"
He gulped.
"We have to go. Now." He said before grabbing my hand and running.
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946 words~