CHAPTER 66 - Kaeyko x… Evelyn?

(Please leave comments. :3)

(Pov - Lalo García.)

"So, what's up?"

"Residues found, master."

"Fufu. I see."

Saik, Saik, Saiki, "compadre," did you really mess with my memories?

Seeing Nergio made me feel weird, like it was the first time we'd met, even though I have memories of him from way back.

Did you really alter my memories to make me think Nergio and I had already met in the past? Why'd you do that? What's the point?

"Fufu. Guess I'll have to figure it out, 'compadre.'"

Hahahahaha! You never stop surprising me, Saik! Being able to mess with my memories without me noticing. The years haven't dulled your skills, "compa."

"Saiki, old friend, I hope you greet me with a warm hug."

Cause we're gonna meet soon, whether you like it or not, "pariente."

•

•

CHAPTER 66 - Kaeyko x… Evelyn?

(Pov - Kaeyko.)

"Phew! I'll admit, at first I was kinda bummed about giving up the special trial, but I don't care anymore! I couldn't stand working in that shitty place any longer!"

"No one forced you to quit, Ether."

"You think I'd let my good friend abandon me? If you're out, I'm out! Friendship comes first!"

Ugh… Tanya's definitely gonna be pissed at me. I gotta think hard about my next moves if I wanna survive—survive school life and my actual life.

Damn it, what kind of mess did I get myself into? Aliens, magic, spiritual powers… Has this world always been this weird?

Ugh, whatever. First thing I need to figure out is my situation as a participant. Do I team up with someone or go solo? The prizes are crap—becoming a vassal, marrying that girl, or the group wish… Ugh, I don't know.

Well, if I win solo, I'll marry that girl. She seems important. I'd rather marry her than be someone's vassal. Plus, she was cute, like a little sister, just my type, though she looked way too young and kinda evil… Eh, still better than being someone's vassal.

Teaming up is risky; they could betray me. I'll go solo for now and see if anyone earns my trust later.

"Phew. Delicious, cutie. So, you free later…?" Uwaaah!

I yanked Ether by the ear and grabbed his lemon drink as we walked away. I'm not in the mood to hear him flirt with the café worker.

"It hurts, it hurts! Don't get jealous, my love…! Mmmph!"

I shoved the bread I bought into his mouth to shut him up. My head's about to explode; I don't have time for his nonsense. I should've taken a different train, far away from him.

"You're ruining what little good reputation I have, Ether. Let's go; we need to come up with an excuse so Tanya doesn't screw us over."

Ether nodded, chewing on my bread.

We left the café, and my family's driver was waiting… Ugh… I told that idiot to come alone, but he brought a nuisance with him.

"Brother!" my sister shouted, waving her arms… Smiling cheerfully? Trying to act like a good sister, huh? Too late for that.

"Let me warn you right now, Ether—if you try flirting with her, I'll do to you what you did to those girls in our department."

"Fufu. You into me?"

"No, but it'll be worth it to make you suffer."

"Hahahahaha!"

Ether started patting my back.

"That's why I like you, Kaeyko—your sense of humor!"

…I'm not joking.

I may hate my little sister, but that doesn't mean I'll let someone like you touch her. She's still family, even if I don't like her.

"Don't worry, handsome—I'd never lay a finger on a friend's sister. I may be a perv, but I'm also a good friend."

"I hope so."

We approached them.

"Brother, I missed you so much!"

I dodged my sister's attempt at a hug and opened the trunk.

"Don't be so cold, brother! It's been forever since we last saw each other!"

"Ether, load your bags."

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

We put our bags in the trunk… Alright… Everything's set.

"How was your trip, young Kaeyko?" the driver asked.

"I'd rather not talk about it. Take me home."

We got in the car, and no matter how much she knows I'll ignore her, my sister keeps pestering me.

"Hey, hey, hey! Brother, stop being so emo and hug your cute sister!"

"Ether, got a cigarette?"

"You smoke?"

"No, it's for my driver, so he has something in his mouth and doesn't open his stupid trap. Why'd you bring Kaeya with you?! I told you to come alone, and if you couldn't, not to come at all!"

"I-I'm sorry, young Kaeyko, but the master ordered me to bring her along. He wants you two to be siblings again. He asked me to tell you to give her a chance."

"Fufu. Kaeya? Kaeyko, Kaeya. How cute," Ether said, who'll soon have a black eye.

"Why'd you leave home without telling us?! We thought you'd been kidnapped!"

"And why should I have told you? We only share blood, that's it. Don't forget that. I do what I want with my life, whenever I want."

"Stop being so emo! You're not 10 anymore!"

"And you stop pretending to be a good girl when we both know you're a bitch who enjoys other people's suffering!"

"You called me a bitch?! You're dead!"

D-Damn it. She slapped me! Tsk. You're lucky we're family; that's why I don't hit you.

"I'm just trying to be nice to you! Is it that hard to accept kind words from me?! Is it that hard to accept that I care about you?!"

"Then mind your own business! I gave you all more than enough time to make peace with me, but you chose to keep up appearances and treat me like the bad guy just to protect your own image! Did you think I didn't know you were mocking me behind my back with your friends, just so you could look like the normal one in the family while I'm seen as the violent, sexual predator freak?!"

I'm done with her hypocrisy!

I grabbed her by the collar and pulled her toward me.

"You're nothing but a hypocrite who just wants to look like the good guy, just like my bitch of a mother! She let you mock me even though it was hurting me! And why?! Because your friends were the daughters of her friends, and she didn't want to ruin her relationship with them, so she let you mock me with them because she wanted you to be friends with them to maintain her stupid social status! She cared more about her social life than her son's mental health! And how did she try to buy my forgiveness? With money! Not with words of encouragement or affection—with money! Arghhh! Idiot, stop the car right now, or I jump out the window!"

"B-But…"

I smashed the window with my elbow, scaring everyone.

"Stop, or you'll be scraping my remains off the ground!"

The driver stopped, and I got out immediately.

"Let's go, Ether! And you, idiot, leave the bags at my place! Goodbye!"

"H-Hey, wait!"

Ether started walking beside me.

"I got lucky; it's the old car, not the one with bulletproof windows."

"What the hell was that?! Have you lost your mind?!"

"I won't ask you to understand my family situation, but I'll ask that we don't talk about it. I know my action could be seen as psychotic or insane, but I really couldn't stand another second with my sister… Wanna grab something to eat? I need to relax."

"Yeah, you definitely need to relax… Come on, I know a good place where you can chill."

"As long as it helps me not think about my sister, I'm good."

…I lost control of my emotions… I lost control…

"Woof, woof, woof!"

Kaey popped out of my pocket and started barking.

Yeah, I know you're worried about me, Kaey. Sorry for worrying you. It's just… I can't stand my family's hypocrisy.

I know I felt like crap and alone when I thought I was gonna die. I know I should try to make peace with my family, but… ugh… You've gotta understand, Kaey, so many years of suffering and loneliness don't just vanish easily.

I want to try being happy again, but I need time for that. Little by little, I'll try to make peace with my family, but not now. I've got too many problems on my mind right now; I don't want to add more.

Little by little… Little by little.

•

•

…Why did I follow Ether to this place?

"Good afternoon, Ether."

"Who're you picking today?"

"Fufu. Who's your little friend? He's pretty cute."

Is this a brothel disguised as a massage parlor? I shouldn't be here, but… ugh, if I'm gonna die, I at least don't want to die without some sexual experience. I could die any moment, so it's worth experimenting a bit.

"We want package 9, with the oral finish. Kaeyko, you want…? You know… Sex? I recommend Jessica; she moves real good. Perfect for a newbie like you."

"I… ugh… Just oral."

"That's the spirit! I want the full package. This time, I want Janeth. Kaeyko, pick. All the girls sitting are available."

I looked at the girls sitting around me.

Ugh, I know I shouldn't be here, but I really want to try, at least once in my life.

I don't have a girlfriend, but I like a girl. It hurts to do this, but I'm not planning on having sex; it's just sexual curiosity.

Mmm… Ugh… They're all so… beautiful… How'd they end up in this situation? Are they being forced into prostitution? Or are they here willingly…? Huh?

That girl… I know that girl.

I approached her. She looked away; she recognized me. I'm kinda famous among the girls at my school, after all.

"Can I pick you?"

"Yes, but keep it a secret."

"Alright."

She stood up and walked with me to the employee who greets clients.

"Oh, you picked Evelyn. She's an expert, though I thought you'd prefer someone less experienced."

"She's got big breasts, so that's fine by me."

"Please, follow me," an employee said.

"I'll pay double if you give me a room without security cameras. I'm not an idiot; I know places like this have hidden cameras."

"Fufu. Don't get paranoid, Kaeyko. I swear there are no hidden cameras; that's why it's my favorite brothel. Don't be so suspicious."

"Ugh, fine."

They took us to separate rooms.

Evelyn closed the door. Finally, we're alone.

There's just a bed and some products on a desk. I guess they're massage products, though there are condoms and sex toys too.

"Your package only includes a massage and oral sex for 30 minutes. Shall we start?"

She was about to take off her bra, but I stopped her.

"No, wait."

Kaey circled the room and came back to me.

"Are there hidden cameras?"

"Woof, woof!"

He's shaking his head no.

"No, there aren't; don't worry. Please, lie down."

I took her hand and made her sit next to me on the bed.

She tried to unbutton my pants, but I stopped her again.

"No… Evelyn, school's expensive, and from the rumors, you're not exactly a genius. Why'd you enroll in that school?"

"I'm not here to talk."

"But I am. Please, answer my question. Why'd you enroll in that school? Why not a public school? Why enroll in such an expensive school if you're a prostitute? It doesn't make sense."

"Am I sucking you off or not?! Don't waste my time!"

"I'm just trying to help… I only want the massage, nothing sexual."

I lay down on the bed.

"You can start. And replace the oral sex time with another massage."

"…Why? Do I disgust you?"

"I wouldn't be here if that were the case. What I don't want is for a girl who's forced to work as a prostitute to suck me off. That's no different from rape."

"…What exactly do you want?"

"The massage, please."

"Fine."

I took off my clothes, except my underwear, for the massage.

She applied oil to my back and started the massage.

Evelyn… This girl's being forced to work as a prostitute. But if she's being forced, why is she attending such an expensive private school? It doesn't make sense. Why do they let her go to that school? I've got two theories.

Number 1: They want her to get close to someone specific and seduce them, maybe to kidnap them or something.

Number 2: She has a debt she couldn't pay, and they're forcing her to pay it off by selling her body, and she attends that school hoping to seduce a rich guy to pay her debt for her.

Both theories seem pretty plausible.

"You've got nice muscles, and you're pretty cute. No wonder you're so popular with women. You shouldn't ruin your reputation coming to places like this."

"Hard to believe, but I'm a virgin. This is the closest I've come to a sexual experience. I only came here because I wanted to relax. I've had a shitty day, and Ether convinced me to come."

"Yeah, no surprise there. Ether's a regular here."

"I guess you two have already… You know."

"Yeah, it's my job, after all."

…Did she just sit on my back?

And since she's in her underwear, I can feel her butt on my back… Yeah, I've got an erection, and since I'm face down, it hurts 'cause I'm crushing it.

I hope she doesn't notice.

"And why do you work here? Some debt?"

"Unfortunately, yeah."

"And you enrolled in the school to seduce a rich guy to pay your debt, huh?"

"…Yeah… No point hiding it anymore. Yeah, I enrolled for that, but I failed. I tried seducing Saik, but it's impossible for him to notice someone like me; he even figured out my intentions. Bell, another classmate, offered to pay my debt too, but he caught me having sex at school and… well, I guess he won't want to pay it anymore."

"I see. I guess you were forced to have sex at school to satisfy some client's fetish, right?"

"Yeah, I won't deny it. I've accepted my fate here."

…Her words are honest; I can feel it, and I also feel deep sadness in her.

Even Kaey feels sorry for her; he's stroking her cheek with his paw.

Kaey likes you, Evelyn, and if he likes you, I do too.

"Why do you owe so much money?"

"…Promise you won't say anything?"

"I promise."

"…I… I was raped when I was 15, by the son of the man who runs this whole place. And when I saw him again, I lost control and killed him… They gave me the choice to die or work for them."

"And you owe them money? Aren't you their property?"

"They said that man's life was worth 10,000,000 dollars, and they'll let me go once I pay it off."

"And you believe they'll let you go?"

"…No… I doubt it."

"I see… How much do you owe?"

"I've only paid about 2,000,000 dollars so far."

Wow… Mmm… She's about 18. She gathered 2,000,000 in three years.

…She hasn't stopped working… She hasn't rested, all to pay off her debt.

She's had to endure so much, and she doesn't even believe they'll really let her go once she's paid.

Just a tiny sliver of hope keeps her going and stops her from giving up… like me.

I can't compare my situation to hers; hers is total crap no matter how you look at it, but we have something in common… Neither of us enjoys our life.

Evelyn, every one of your words is honest… You don't deserve to suffer.

"Evelyn, I'm offering you a deal. If you agree to go on a date with me, I'll solve all your problems."

"Huh? W-What?! You'll pay my debt?! B-But… There's no guarantee they'll let me go… What if they force me to keep working? I… I could betray you in the future… Are you sure you want to take that risk?"

"You won't be in danger if the problem's solved at the root. The massage is done. Get off my back."

"Y-Yes."

She got off my back, and I stood up from the bed.

"Movies or amusement park? I've never been on a date before, so I don't know."

"…Kaeyko, you really seem like a good person. Before, I would've taken advantage of that, but after Saik and Bell, I realized I'm not worth it. It's not worth trying to help me… I'm doomed to—" Kya!

I flicked her forehead with my finger.

"You're a victim, and you deserve to be saved. I don't like you, Evelyn, I'm not doing this out of love, but I think I could come to like you, and that's why I'm doing this. Plus, my main reason is that I can help you, and if I can, I will. I want you to enjoy life again… I recently realized how awful it is to be alone, and dying alone must be so much worse. I want you to smile genuinely again. I want you to be happy. I want you to enjoy your life."

I held out my fist and smiled.

"Will you let me help you?"

Her eyes filled with tears, and instead of bumping fists, she hugged me tightly, her tears running down my back.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you so much! Thank you, Kaeyko! If we go out, I'll always be faithful and love you forever!"

"We barely know each other, so don't mistake gratitude for love. I'm not doing this to make you fall for me, so if you fall for someone else or love someone else, I don't care. The only thing I care about is freeing you from your suffering."

I stroked her head and wiped her tears.

"Everyone deserves to be happy, and we shouldn't let anyone ruin our happiness. I let that happen in the past, and it only led to a life of loneliness and emptiness, but now I have the chance to give you back your happiness, and I'll take it. Wish me luck."

"Good luck!"

…Wow… That felt nice.

She kissed me on the cheek.

"The kisses on the mouth will come when we start dating," she said, winking.

"It'll be worth the wait."

I put my clothes on and left the room.

"Huh? Already done?"

"Sorry, but I've got an errand to run."

I left money on the counter.

"Three more hours with Evelyn; no one touches her. I don't want to do it after another guy."

"Full package?"

"Full package. Give the change to Evelyn as a tip."

"With pleasure."

I left the place.

The red-light district of the city. The most dangerous part of town. I've been mugged here several times, but my family's security always ended up tracking down the criminals and beating them up.

But this time, I can't rely on their help; I have to solve this problem alone.

Evelyn always seemed like a problematic and rude girl, and I don't mean her appearance—I mean her personality. Every time I saw her, she acted rude to everyone, but now I realize she just doesn't trust anyone and pretends to be tough so no one takes advantage of her.

But I know Evelyn is kind, a girl who doesn't deserve to suffer. After all, Kaey likes her, and he's great at judging people.

Evelyn doesn't deserve to suffer; she deserves to be happy, and I want to make her happy.

"And I have the power to give her back her happiness."

"Woof, woof!"

We entered an alley… Ugh, damn it.

"Hey, get outta here, kid! Don't mess around!"

Two men, pulling a woman on the ground by her hair…

Her clothes are torn, she's not wearing a bra, and they're trying to take off her underwear.

She's crying, her face is beaten… She's terrified… They're about to rape her.

There hasn't been penetration; they were just taking off their belts. I got here in time.

"I don't want to leave."

I walked toward them.

"Last warning!"

They're pointing a gun at me, but I kept going.

I'll save that woman.

"I told you…!"

Kaey bit the left eye of one of them; I think he even tore out the pupil.

"Huh?! Arghhh!"

He did the same to the other man.

The one with the gun dropped it, and Kaey sat on my head.

"W-What? W-What happened?" the woman said, terrified, because to her, the men's eyes just exploded for no reason.

"Leave and forget this happened. Got it?"

"Y-Yes! T-Thank you so much!" she said, her eyes full of tears.

She grabbed her bra and stuff from the ground and ran off, leaving me alone with the two men.

"D-Damn you! How'd you do that?!"

"Dark Demong mode, activate."

[Activating "Dark Demong" mode.]

"You'll regret this."

•

•

It's dark already, and she still hasn't come out. What's taking them so long? Dividing the money? Ugh, whatever.

Everything went well. They're all dead.

I'd have preferred not to do it; turning the criminals over to the police would've been enough, but when I fuse with Kaey, our personality turns violent and aggressive. Dark Demong killed them all for pure pleasure… Ugh, goodbye, humanity.

Well, I killed… No… Dark Demong killed all the criminals and the man who ran the whole operation. Evelyn's debt is gone, so she's free now… Oh, there she is.

She came out with two other women, but when she saw me waiting, she immediately ran to me.

"Kaeyko!"

She hugged me tightly. Still crying, huh?

Yeah, I know, it's hard to believe you're finally free, but you are, Evelyn. You're free.

"Thank you, thank you! I don't know how you did it, but thank you!"

"I just hired some people; I only put up the money. I didn't do much."

"N-No, thanks to you, I'm free… We're free… Thanks to you, we're free! Thank you so much!"

"I guess you're welcome… Wanna celebrate? We can go eat or play video games at my place. Just promise you won't try to sleep with me as a way to thank me… Evelyn, I think I could come to like you, but I'd like to take things slow. If you'll let me."

"Fufu. You're a real gentleman, and I love that. I don't know what I did for God to put you in my life, but I'm grateful with all my being! Thank you for coming into my life, Kaeyko!"

"I hope we can be good friends, and if things go well, maybe try being something more."

"I'd love that! I'd accept you with all the pleasure in the world…! But…"

She stopped hugging me and looked down.

"I… Ugh… Well… It's obvious I'm not a virgin. I'm very used… I've lost count of how many men I've been with. Are you sure you want to be with someone like me?"

"Do you have any diseases?"

"Of course not; I always protected myself!"

"Then that doesn't matter. The only thing that should matter to me is your present and future, not your past. Your past doesn't matter to me, Evelyn, and I think it's best if it doesn't matter to you either. Remembering the past can be painful. You're free, Evelyn, and that's all that matters right now. Let's go celebrate."

"…Seriously… What did I do to deserve you coming into my life?"

She took my hand and smiled.

"Let's go to your place. I'll make you dinner… Ugh… Shit!"

"What's wrong?"

"T-The place I was living in belonged to that man. I can't and don't want to keep living there. Do you know where I can rent an apartment? I got a lot of money after the split."

"Well, there's an empty apartment next to mine. I think it's available, or it was; I don't know if it still is. Might interest you."

"I'd love to be your neighbor…! But… Isn't it expensive?"

"My dad paid for what I did. I support myself; I don't live in luxury. I live in a small, simple, cheap apartment. I'm sure you won't have trouble paying the rent."

"Really?! Awesome! I definitely hit the jackpot with you!"

She started rubbing her cheek against my arm… So cute.

I never expected to end this day with a new friend and possibly a future girlfriend, let alone that it'd be Evelyn.

Life's weird and unpredictable. Right, Kaey?

"Woof, woof!" Kaey barked, lying on Evelyn's hair.

"By the way, you didn't feel anything real for Saik or Bell, right? I…"

"No, I know what you're gonna say. I'm not forcing myself to feel something for you. I barely know you, I know, but you're the person who's helped me the most in my entire life, and we just met. I'm sure it's fate. And what I feel will only grow and grow day by day, I'm sure. I didn't feel anything for Saik; I just wanted to seduce him for his money. And Bell… Well… I'll admit I liked him a little after he did something for me, but I never really liked him. I was using him too."

"I see. Wow, wow… Well, I feel a bit more at ease now. No competition."

"Even if you had any, you'd definitely win!"

"Thanks… Burgers or pasta?"

"I'm good with either."

"Nope. It's your celebration party, so you decide. I'd offer something else, but I think that's all I have in the fridge. Wanna hit up a supermarket?"

"Mmm… Then a burger, please! Thanks," she said, still rubbing her cheek against my arm.

"Burger it is."

…Wow… This really feels… nice.

I think… I'm starting to like Evelyn?

I'll admit, at first, I wanted to go out with her to make sure she was happy, but… now I feel like I could be happy with her.

Evelyn, I hope I can give you happiness, and that you give me happiness too.

Thank you for coming into my life.

•

•

"…Ugh… Oh… Are they really falling for each other?! H-How's this possible?! Evelyn was supposed to end up with Bell, and Kaeyko was supposed to end up with Kim, Sylvie, or me! Why have things changed so much?!"

Star was watching Kaeyko talk with Evelyn through her crystal ball, next to the activated statue of the Goddess of Ghosts.

Kaeyko and Evelyn looked very happy and were having fun talking together, and that only infuriated Star, as her plans might be changing.

"Kaeyko changed his fate again. A guy impossible to manipulate. You should give up and just watch how things unfold, Star. It's not worth trying to control Kaeyko; that guy will always find a way to avoid it."

"But why aren't Evelyn and Bell together? Even Saik manipulated them so Evelyn would try to kill herself and Bell would save her, so Bell would pay her debt and they'd end up dating."

Saik used the legendary ghosts of sadness to amplify Evelyn's depression and make her attempt suicide, just so Bell would try to save her and love would spark between them.

It worked, in a way. Bell convinced Evelyn not to kill herself, and the next day they quit the special trial, but it didn't go as Saik planned.

Bell and Evelyn grew apart when he caught her having sex on the school rooftop with another student, which filled Bell with rage and jealousy, and he stopped talking to her, allowing Kaeyko to win Evelyn's heart.

"This doesn't make sense."

"It's not worth trying to make sense of Kaeyko. Just watch and let things progress at their own pace."

"Kaeyko and Evelyn dating… I never imagined that would happen… By the way, are those two idiots still fighting?"

"Yeah. Same pattern. They tie, rest, and fight again. Neither seems to want to give up."

"Ugh, men, they're all savages."

•

•

(Pov - Saik.)

Ugh… Mmm… Ugh… I'm sick of this island.

Two more days till it's over, Saik, just a bit longer.

I ended up winning the extra special trial, 'cause I cheated. I beat the student council president, but I won't consider it a real victory since I cheated. When I won, I didn't feel the satisfaction I thought I would. Next time, I'll definitely beat her without cheating.

For now, I'll focus on staying standing. She'll make her move soon, I'm sure, and when that happens, it'll decide the fate of my school life.

"Saik, I'm bored."

"Ugh, me too, Yuki… Wanna play hide and seek?"

"I'm bored of that game."

"Me too."

Lying around doing nothing. I'll admit I like sleeping and doing nothing, but doing it for so long is starting to wear me out.

"I want this special trial to be over already."

"Me too, Yuki."

Me too.