The Valkyrie residence. (Part one)

Sam barely made it in time for lunch. The moment he met with Shizuru and basked in the radiance of her smile he felt his soul burn like an evil spirit getting exorcised.

The gilt of his betrayal coiled around his heart like chains even with his attempts to look at it in a positive light. The pain meant that he cared about the Asian girl, otherwise, his entanglement with Alice would have been enough to erase all feelings for her.

How devastating would it be when the time finally comes for them to part ways? Just thinking about it added to the pain tormenting Sam.

"You don't look any better," Shizuru fixed him with a scrutinizing look. "Don't tell me you didn't get any rest..."

His exhaustion was difficult to hide so Sam had prepared an excuse beforehand. The truth about his betrayal would have to wait for some time.

"I recalled something concerning my research," He said. "By the time I knew it was already morning."