Betrayal

Uhh... No reply?! What the hell is this supposed to mean? I feel like they know something I don't, and it's not good news.

"Master... I'd like t-to update you about something." Nori barely muttered.

"G-Go ahead..."

While scratching her head with a poker face, Nori exclaimed, "Uhh... Master, you may die."

"Eh?"

|...|

The fate of Midway lies in my hands. I can feel the unbearable weight of the task ahead of me, crushing my sanity like crumpling paper. And I don't know if some seventeen-year-old pessimistic sadboi can bear the burden.

What's worst is, despite such arduous ordeal coming at my face full speed, the people I relied on are acting like children... at the MOST CRUCIAL moment of the crisis!

"C-Come on, Master! What are we waiting for? Let us do the switch." Nori exclaimed as she awkwardly giggled.

Even without trying, I can tell that smile is fake!

It's no use trying to talk it out of her! Perhaps Fukitsu will give me an answer. He's me, so he should know!

"Fukitsu, do you know?"

While trying to avoid eye contact, Fukitsu muttered, "Hmm... the ground feels soft. This is a nice place to die in."

"Oi! Don't change the topic!"

What the hell is Fukitsu doing?! That's not me at all! These guys are hopeless!

"At the count of three, I'll start shaking my head violently-"

As I was about to threaten them, Fukitsu interfered as he slightly raised his voice, "Anything but that, please! I'll tell you everything!"

"Oi! Fuki! You told me you'd keep your mouth shut!" Nori complained.

"Why should I?! Your plan was stupid! And don't call me that!"

Fuki? Huh, what an adorable nickname. It seems like these two are progressing quite smoothly. In fact, I'd say it's going too well!

I don't want to think about it, but since they have their own personalities, they can become that... and if their relationship grows more intimate, the two of them can do this... and heck, God forbid, but they can also have...

Oh, what an unholy sight to behold! Imagine two people going at it inside your head.

"Ahem! I know what you're thinking, Miles. And what the fuck is wrong with you?" Fukitsu snarled.

"Master... I respect you, but that's weird." Nori added.

"Shut up! Both of you aren't in the position to complain! Start telling me everything!"

"Well, let's have a seat." Fukitsu expressed as he sat down on the floor.

"Make it quick. The assault starts in fifteen minutes." I replied as I perched on the ground.

I assume it has something to do with Eric and Nori. Knowing her, she's probably worried about something I didn't know.

"Nori, care to explain." Fukitsu said as his worried eyes glanced at Nori.

With a face that could break down in tears at any moment, Nori stuttered, "B-But-"

In a cold and blunt tone, Fukitsu said, "You know you're not stopping him. Your effort is futile."

Nori looks like she'd collapse with just the calm blow of the wind... It seems like one of the things I'm unaware of is how much Nori struggled for my sake.

And here I thought I knew her pain... How pathetic of you, Miles!

"M-Master. H-Here me out." Nori stuttered as she sat next to Fukitsu.

"I'm all ears."

It'd be convenient if it's just a minor inconvenience, but I've witnessed Nori break down in tears a couple times, and every time that happened, a bolt of lightning strikes.

"I might've underestimated Eric a tiny bit!" Nori answered as she scratches her head.

Even while confessing her sins, she's this prideful! Well, that's Nori for you!

"And uhh... I'm by no means doubting your capabilities, Master. B-But... I think he's o-out of your league. O-Of course! It's not to say you can't beat him-"

"Oh, really?" I replied in a sarcastic tone.

"I a-apologize for my rudeness, Master!" Nori yelled as she threw herself on the floor.

For an assistant who lives inside my head, Nori doesn't know me that well. She should be the first to know that I dislike having people bow down to me. But then again, for a once suicidal seventeen-year-old, I don't deserve Nori's company.

My relationship with her started out of the blue, but it was bound to get there eventually. As our bond got 'friendlier,' I noticed how vulnerable I was.

All that stuff I said about living a solemn life... makes me want to bawl my eyes out. That was only an excuse to cover up my insecurities.

I was just... afraid.

Humans are nothing but tools with intelligence... is what I'd say before. But... Ah! This isn't time for philosophy!

"Nori!" Seemingly furious, I raised my voice."

"..."

An awkward silence filled the room... The air suddenly got tense. It was the same crushing atmosphere when Fukitsu, Nori, and I had a conference.

"Oi, Miles... are you mad?" In a cold tone, Fukitsu asked.

"..."

I replied with more silence, clenching my fist as the quiet continued.

"You know, Miles, we have the same personality... initially." Fukitsu whispered with the same emotionless tone. For some reason, the intent to murder emanates from just his voice...

"So you're saying we can become two different people?" I casually asked.

With his arms crossed and a frown on his face, he coldly muttered, "I won't hesitate to kill you if it means survival."

I'm sweating buckets... Seeing him right now made me gulp.

Fukitsu's devil horns grew longer. A dark substance oozed from his coal-colored eyes. His face was enveloped in lines as if they were cracks, and his fingernails turned into daggers.

It's not a metaphor when I say... this man is the devil.

"If you touch Nori, you're doing this plan without me!" Fukitsu shouted at the top of his lungs, seemingly enraged by the treatment of his newfound companion.

"Are you done crying?"

"Don't fuck with me, Mile-"

Before Fukitsu could snap, he paused as if time was stopped.

"Y-Yes, Master..." Nori stuttered as she wipes away her tears.

"Now tell me everything." I replied as I gave her head pats.

"W-What's happening?" Fukitsu queried like an innocent child asking where do babies come from.

With a smug smirk on my face, I sarcastically answered, "You think I'd raise my hand on her? I suppose you don't know me as well as I thought you would."

"W-Wha Then I..."

"Yes, you tried to stand up for her. My! How romantic." I jokingly exclaimed.

|...|

W-What is this feeling?! My body feels weak... like someone is draining my energy!

I can't move my limbs!

I can't turn my head!

I can barely blink my eyes!

"Arghh! What the hell is happening?"

"Sorry... Master. But this is the only way."

"N-Nori?!"