Chapter 22

"Yes. It's all your fault. Now sleep." I heard someone before everything around me turned black.

---

As Joseph woke up, he slowly opened his heavy eyelids. It was like it weighed a ton. His whole body ached, it was like something was pricking him.

"What happened?" Joseph murmured as he tried looking at his surroundings but to no avail.

The room was awfully dark, there was absolutely no trace of light inside the room.

It was like the room was made especially for the dark.

Still dazed, he didn't notice a middle-aged man standing in a corner of the room.

The middle aged man smiled, he gave a light scoff as he thought about his plan.

Hearing someone scoff, Joseph abruptly became wide awake as he felt that he was in danger.

"Who's there?!" Joseph exclaimed.

"Heh, I believe I told you to follow the rules, did I not?" The middle-aged man said while walking to the middle of the room.

"This voice... The host?!" Joseph thought as he tightly clenched his fists.

The light suddenly turned on, the intense brightness of the light strained Joseph's eyes. However, upon seeing the look on the host's face, his face darkened as he screamed.

"You bastard! How dare you make a move on Aesop! I'll kill you!" Joseph exclaimed. Right now, Joseph was detained. His hands were bound and so were his feet. The rope that was used to detain him had something spiky attached to it. Somewhat akin to a thorn.

Every move Joseph made would prick his skin as blood trickled down his hand.

He struggled hard despite the constant pain he felt on his body.

This pain, it was probably not even near the torture Aesop endured against Jack.

"Tsk tsk, I merely punished you two for misbehaving, how am I a bastard now?" The host said as he shrugged.

"Besides, I wasn't the one who injured Aesop, Jack is to blame here." The host said as a smirk appeared on his face.

"You!" Jack retorted from the side. How can this man just blame him? He was clearly the one being threatened. Was he taking them for an idiot?

"What?" The host raised his brows at Jack.

"Nothing." Behind the mask, Jack rolled his eyes. This host has long been annoying.

"Aesop, ah Aesop, how should I deal with him?" The host said, deep in thought.

"You fucking bastard! Don't you dare touch him!" Joseph struggled as he gritted his teeth.

No. He couldn't let this damned host hurt his Aesop.

"Y'know, struggling won't help." The host chuckled. "See? You're only getting hurt." He said as he looked at Joseph's bleeding body.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear your sarcasm!"

"Hm, alright. Let's talk about business then." The host smiled. It was about time.

"What business?" Joseph said as his brows furrowed. He had a bad feeling about this.

"Oh, you know. About you and Aesop."

"You better no-"

"Or what? You can't do anything to me." The host said as he laughed.

Joseph gritted his teeth. He felt so... Powerless...

This wasn't the first time either. When Claude died, this was also what he felt. But this time, it felt stronger. Was he really so incompetent? Even when Jack stabbed Aesop, he still couldn't do anything.

"Hm, it's no fun talking to you."

Joseph stayed silent.

"Whatever, I'll put it myself." The host said before standing up.

He started walking to the door as his crazed laugh suddenly erupted. How fun.

"Jack, Joseph is to stay in this room, he is not to step even half a foot outside this room. You hear me?"

The door creaked as the host left, this time around, only Joseph and Jack were left.

"Jack."

"..." Jack looked away.

"Please, help me with Aesop. Don't let him get hurt, please?" Joseph begged. At this point. He was utterly useless.

"Sorry. You might say I'm selfish, but I'm doing this... For someone." Jack sighed.

"Jack please. I'm begging you, Aesop doesn't deserve this!" Joseph trembled.

"I'm sorry." Jack replied as he shook his head.

"It's Naib, isn't it?" Joseph retorted. He can't step back now.

"Huh?"

---

A few days later.

Survivor's side of the manor.

Aesop's eyelashes flickered as he slowly opened his eyes.

This room... Was he back at the nurse's office?

He pondered for a bit before his head suddenly started aching.

"Heh." Jack said before he stabbed Aesop.

Ah yes... He got stabbed.

Aesop's headache was getting worse. Of course, he just had to remember.

He looked around, realizing something, he smiled bitterly. Of course he isn't here. What did he expect? They already broke up.

But still, the pain in his heart was unbearable. He just wanted to see Joseph, just once. Just a glance would be fine.

But alas, he expected too much. Why would he even be here?

"Aesop! You're awake! Thank goodness!" The door opened as Emily exclaimed. She immediately ran to Aesop and did a thorough checking.

"It seems like you're fine for now, however, don't make any big moves! If your stitches break..." Emily didn't continue.

"Stay here for a week or 2, you aren't to go outside this room!" Emily said.

"W-what? That's too long..." Aesop murmured.

"That doesn't matter." Emily said. However, as she looked at Aesop, his eyes contained a hint of loneliness.

"Emily... Did he come?" Aesop softly asked.

"This..." Emily seemed to be caught up and had a hard time answering.

Upon seeing Emily, Aesop's eyes curved. He smiled.

"Nevermind. Of course he wouldn't." Aesop laughed.

Emily frowned as she stared at Aesop. This guy. The disappointment in his eyes was evident.

She sighed as she left the room. It'll be hard for him.

---

1 and a half month later

Aesop's POV

It's been quite a while since the incident, I'm extremely worried about Joseph as he hasn't even appeared even once in any of the matches. That was abnormal.

The weird thing was, I kept getting tea from Joseph, it warmed my heart but thinking about the fact that Joseph was nowhere to be seen, I'm scared.

Scared that I would lose someone dear to me.

Regarding the tea, when I first received it, It felt suspicious but I still drank it. There was also a note alongside the tea.

"Aesop, sorry I can't meet you. The host forbade me from doing anything and I can't even step out of my room. I have asked someone to deliver tea for you, I hope you're feeling better." - Joseph

The tea was exceptionally fragrant, it smelt extremely relaxing and since nothing happened from drinking the tea, it's most likely Joseph really is on house arrest.

Nothing in this manor brought me joy anymore. I would lock myself in my room, only to come out whenever I would go eat.

Joseph... I yearn for his touch, his voice, I just want to see him. This month and a half were clearly torture. All I need is Joseph. That's all. Why can't I just have him? If there's a God out there, why can't you just give me Joseph?! Is it so hard?!

I sighed at the thought.

"That was tough! Can't believe we managed to win that!" Tracy exclaimed as she was covered in sweat.

"Yeah, maybe Galatea isn't in her best mood right now."

"Right? If she was serious we would've lost that." Kevin chimed in.

"Anyway, enough of that, let's go get treated first, I feel like a flatbread after getting squashed by those damned chess pieces." William laughed before the four of them walked away.

"Joseph... Where are you?" I thought to myself as I stared at the sky. It's so cloudy... It's gonna rain soon.

---

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