—That’s it. This knife will set me free.
—Someone… help me.
A hand stops her. Rhine stands there. But she’s too far gone for words.
Since coming here, Alicia has been hurt and worn down beyond repair. He takes her hand and embraces her.
She confesses. About her nature. About believing she caused this.
—I’ll carry it with you.
And so, her story continues.
—That was a possible future. A lost thread of the world, now gone.
But here and now, the living remain. No one is hurt. Alicia has never been broken.
Yet… this incident leaves a deep scar on her heart. No—each event piling up has formed an unshakable weight.
Her obsessions are relentless. She can’t stop thinking about Fei’s injuries.
He shielded her, protected her, and kept getting hurt before her eyes. Thanks to him, she’s unharmed.
Watching Fei suffer, she can’t rationalize it. She’s trapped in guilt, convinced it’s her fault.
And then, that horde of monsters. In that moment, she tried to run. To escape the terror—to abandon Fei, her savior, the one hurt because of her.
Guilt floods her. Fei didn’t die. Alicia escaped with minor injuries. But Fei almost did.
The obsessions return, overwhelming. This place… the one she finally found. Where no one complains if she’s near. Where they grumble and act annoyed but never push her away. Where a strange kindness lingers.
The fear of losing it consumes her. Guilt and obsession corner her. Her mind feels numb, as if oozing pus.
Sobs wrack her body.
Before she realizes it, night falls. She heads to his room—she must check on him. The thought that something might happen gnaws at her.
But it’s not out of kindness… She just wants to escape the obsession. To repay him. To atone. To apologize. To be free.
That was the only thing on her mind.
She opened the door—Fermi and Barbara were already gone, and the moon was out. Its light through the window illuminated Fei.
He was sitting on the bed, gazing outside.
“…You’re awake.”
“Figured you could tell by looking.”
“Yeah… That’s right! I’m glad!”
“……”
Fei narrowed his eyes. He sensed something—a faint unease. Was it Alicia’s unnaturally cheerful voice? Or those hollow, mud-like eyes?
Without paying any mind to Fei’s reaction, Alicia abruptly closed the distance and straddled him.
Fei’s body was still weak from the monster’s poison, not yet fully neutralized. He couldn’t move as he wanted, leaving him powerless to stop her.
And there was a sliver of carelessness, too. Because, to some extent, Fei had let his guard down around her.
“…What do you think you’re doing?”
“Hmm? I wanted to thank you for everything.”
“…For what?”
“Everything… Hey, Fei… Wanna do something fun with me?”
“……”
“You’re a man, after all… You’ve gotta have some… pent-up urges, right?”
Her voice was a seductive purr. She stripped off her clothes atop him, baring her beautiful body. Grabbing his hand, she pressed it forcefully against her chest. His fingers sank into her softness, the sheer size and warmth of her filling his palm—stirring his desires. This wasn’t something she’d ever do normally, nor something he’d ever allow.
“Don’t you wanna let it all out with me? I’ve never done this before, but… I know the theory. I could even use my mouth if you want?”
“…Stop this. Now.”
“Aw, c’monnn. Don’t be like that. I’m trying to repay you, okay?”
(I just want to feel at ease. I want to make it up to him.)
“…Or do you prefer something rougher? I wouldn’t mind if that’s what you’re into. Honestly, I’ve kinda been curious about that stuff too.”
(I just want to feel at ease… I want to be needed by someone. Even if it’s me, I want to matter to someone important.)
“Oh, I’ve got a great idea. How about I become your plaything for life—?”
She wasn’t seeking sexual pleasure to satisfy carnal desires. She was just desperate. She only wanted liberation from her obsessive guilt. To be used by Fei, to have someone she cared about find fulfillment in her.
She wanted validation—to feel lighter. So she seduced him, tempted him, bared herself completely, and fixed him with pleading eyes behind a false smile.
“I’ll say it again… Stop. Now.”
“…D-Don’t be mad. You want this too, don’t you?”
“…I have no interest in bedding a woman like you.”
“Ghk—… D-Don’t say that… Just want me… I’ll do anything, anything—I’ll be your lifelong plaything if you want! I’ll even be your slave! Hell, I’ll sell my body for money if that’s what it takes to—”
“—Enough.”
“Ghk—!”
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The oppressive aura of a true warrior silenced her. Her body froze under the sheer weight of his presence—an unspoken warning that no further disgrace would be tolerated. In his eyes, she saw her own reflection: a pitiful farce, a weakling playing at seduction just to escape her guilt.
(How… pathetic. Is this… really me? I’ve fallen so low that even Fei… wouldn’t want me like this, would he…?)
“…I’m sorry.”
“……”
“I’m… really sorry… I just…”
“……”
“I’ll… stay out of your way now… I’m sorry.”
“…It’s fine.”
“…Okay.”
She released his hand and hung her head. Now, she was truly alone again—and the loneliness, the self-loathing, crushed her.
She doubted he’d speak to her again. He’d always been a man of few words, but she’d liked the sound of his voice. It was intimidating, but she knew the kindness beneath it. That’s why it hurt.
Tears threatened to spill, but she couldn’t let him see her face like this.
“…Well, see you.”
That was all she said, fully intending it to be the last thing. But Fei wasn’t about to let things end there.
“…Fool. You think that’s enough?”
“Huh?”
“You pulled this stunt. The least you owe me is an explanation.”
“…You’ll listen?”
“…Hurry up. Out with it.”
He crossed his arms, eyes shut, refusing to look at her naked form. The realization that he hadn’t abandoned her yet made Alicia’s heart leap.
“…Th-Thank you.”
She lifted her gaze just slightly to murmur her gratitude. Fei’s expression remained unchanged, eyes still closed. He merely tapped his fingers impatiently against his arm, as if to say, Don’t keep me waiting. Spit it out.
“I… I…”
Her voice trembled as she spoke. She told him everything—how her cursed constitution had forced him to save her time and again, how she might have been the cause of this incident too, and how she regretted it all from the bottom of her heart. That’s why she’d tried to repay him… why she’d resorted to this.
When she finished, she dared to glance up slightly. Fei sighed, looking thoroughly exasperated.
“…Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.”
“…Yeah, I guess.”
“First, you’ve got the premise wrong. Like I’ve said before… I was the one who drew that thing here.”
“…But—”
“No ‘buts.’ The chaos in this city, the incidents here, the inexplicable phenomena across this world—I’m connected to all of it. That’s the truth.”
“Truth? That’s… exaggerated. And besides, I’ve always—”
“You’re mistaken. It’s your own delusion. And even if something did happen, blame it on me.”
“…Huh?”
“I know this world is linked to me. If anything happens around you, it’s not your fault—it’s something tied to me.”
“…Is that… really true?”
“Yeah.”
“How do you know that?”
“No point explaining. But everything in Free City is my doing. And as for the things around you until now—they were either coincidences, your imagination, or something tied to me. Remember that.”
He wasn’t lying. She could tell immediately. Fei wasn’t the kind of man who deceived others—or himself.
“Relax. You’re no curse. If anything… I’m the one who might be.”
He wasn’t just humoring her with empty comfort. His words carried weight—conviction. She was certain he wasn’t lying to make her feel better. He was simply stating facts.
The burden she’d carried for so long… began to fade.
And it made her happy. For so long, everyone had rejected her, and she’d agonized over it. But now, in an instant, it was gone—liberated. At first, she’d thought it was all in her head. Yet, over time, she’d convinced herself she was a walking curse.
But now, he’d outright denied it. And if the one saying it was truly the cursed one… then maybe it wasn’t so hard to believe.
He’d forcibly taken all that weight from her. Your imagination. And even if something happens, it’s my fault. Fei had shouldered Alicia’s burdens without hesitation.
(But… if I was just… in the wrong place at the wrong time… then what about Fei?)
“Hey… Fei, what are you?”
“…Who knows?”
She got the sense he wouldn’t say more. And for now, she was just grateful he was still here, still within her reach.
And then—
(I want to get stronger. Fei wasn’t lying. If that’s true… then someday, he’ll be the one rejected, the one who suffers… Next time, I’ll—)
“Hey! Fei!”
“What?”
“I’m gonna get stronger! Just like you!”
“Is that so?”
(Fei… thank you…)
His response was flat, but she could’ve sworn she felt encouragement in it. A small smile crept onto her face—until reality yanked her back.
“More importantly, put your damn clothes on.”
“Ghk—!”
Only now did she remember—she’d been sitting here completely naked this whole time. Even if Fei’s eyes were closed, the embarrassment crashed over her like a tidal wave.
“…Fei, you perv.”
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