Feelings....

Noir ran and ran…

Huff… Huff… Huff…

Sweat clung to his face.

Normally, running this much wouldn't even make him break a sweat—he had been training since childhood.

But this time, the pressure and the thousands of thoughts racing through his mind overwhelmed him. Not only was he sweating, but his heart was pounding so fast that even a galloping horse would feel ashamed.

But Noir didn't notice.

Or rather, he couldn't.

Running blindly, he reached the back of the building and collapsed to his knees.

Both hands clutched the sides of his head as if he were about to rip his hair out.

His teeth clattered as though he were freezing.

"Why… Noir… why would you do that…? Not to her… You… promised… right…? AGHHH…!"

"I couldn't control myself… She looked… looked so… delicious… It was…"

"Why… is your mouth… drooling…?"

"Not my mouth… It's ours…"

"Disgusting…"

"I… am not… It's you… You… demon…!"

"No… no… Not me… It's WE… WE ARE ONE…"

"Did you forget that…?"

"Don't lump me with you!!"

—

—

—

"Noir!"

Oliver and Sirius spotted him kneeling, his fingers tangled in his hair, his body trembling violently.

They rushed toward him, calling his name.

But he didn't respond.

His lips moved in a frantic murmur—his words too quiet, too erratic to make sense.

It was terrifying to watch.

Oliver quickly crouched in front of him, gripping his shoulders.

He shook Noir hard.

But… nothing.

Noir didn't react.

Sirius stood beside Oliver, fists clenched. His expression hardened.

"Move aside," he ordered.

Oliver, panicked, kept trying. He shook Noir again. "Come on, snap out of it—!"

But there was no change.

Sirius gritted his teeth.

Oliver wasn't listening either.

So, without warning—

SMACK!

A sharp slap echoed through the air.

Noir's eyes widened.

His body jolted as if he had just been yanked out of a nightmare.

He blinked, dazed, his gaze locking onto Sirius.

Sirius's face was serious, but beneath that, a flicker of concern lingered.

"Calm down first, Noir."

Looking up, Noir saw Sirius's face tense up even more, and a new wave of anxiety crashed over him. Had Sirius seen… everything?

Sirius gripped both of Noir's shoulders firmly, locking eyes with him.

"Whatever it is, calm down first."

"Take a deep breath."

Noir did as Sirius said. Sirius held him so tightly that he couldn't lash out, and deep down, he didn't want to behave like this either.

Noir inhaled… exhaled… inhaled… exhaled…

The process continued for nearly two minutes.

His racing heart gradually calmed.

Now, he could think clearly.

He stood up and found Oliver and Sirius still in front of him—Sirius with a stern expression and Oliver with concern in his eyes.

Noir sighed. He knew what was coming.

But he also knew he wasn't ready for it.

He wasn't ready for their questions… because he had no answers.

Seeing Noir calm down, Oliver spoke first. "You okay, bro?"

"Yeah," Noir replied.

"Doesn't look like it," Sirius said.

"Just… some memories."

"What memories? What happened to you? Tell me the truth, Noir," Sirius pressed.

Looking at both Sirius and Oliver, Noir knew things were getting serious.

"It's nothing important. Just… you know… a lot has happened."

"That's what I'm asking. What exactly happened?" Sirius's gaze sharpened. "The way you were acting just now wasn't normal."

"Yeah, it was definitely not… normal," Noir murmured, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"Anyway, let's talk tomorrow… I have to go home," Noir said, looking up.

"I haven't even met my father yet."

"Stop," Sirius commanded.

"Come on, we'll be meeting tomorrow anyway. We can talk then. I have to meet my father now, or he'll come here."

Saying that, Noir turned and started speed-walking away.

Just as he moved forward—

Thud!

He collided lightly with someone.

A girl.

She had been running and, because of the impact, lost her balance.

She was about to fall when—

Noir's reflexes kicked in.

He caught her.

His left hand was under her back, while his right hand grasped her left hand.

Their faces were inches apart.

Too close.

Shyamal's eyes widened.

Her heart pounded.

Thump… Thump…

Her cheeks burned with a deep blush.

But it wasn't one-sided.

Noir felt it too.

His breath hitched.

His face turned red.

His heart—

Thump~Thump…

Only he knew… how much he had craved to see her beautiful, mesmerizing face.

Only he knew… how much he had longed to touch her soft, delicate skin.

Only he knew… how much he had yearned to hold her in his embrace.

Only he knew… how much he wanted to love her.

To cherish her.

To tell her… that he loved her.

But—

He wasn't worthy.

A sudden wave of emotion overwhelmed him.

He pulled her into his embrace.

Tightly.

As if pouring out all the love he had kept buried while he was away.

He held her so firmly that her skin reddened from the pressure—yet he had no awareness of it.

His eyes were shut tight.

And in a voice filled with sorrow, he whispered—

"I… am not… worthy of your love."