“Michael.”
Herick, who had entered Michael’s room, called his name in a low voice. Michael, who had been rubbing his eyes, turned his head to face Herick.
“Where’s Choi?”
“He went back.”
“Where to?”
Herick’s forced smile trembled at the corners. Adjusting his smile once more, he sat softly on the bed and brushed Michael’s floating bangs aside.
“Do you like Choi that much?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Michael pondered Herick’s question carefully. Staring blankly at the ceiling with his mouth slightly open, he rolled his eyes and then looked at Herick again.
“Why do you want to know?”
Herick flinched as if he’d been stabbed. However, he soon collected himself and continued.
“Just because. I just don’t want Michael to trust Choi too much.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want you to get hurt because of him.”
He’s going to leave you anyway. You know that, right?
Michael remained silent. Herick’s smile deepened.
“No. He promised me he wouldn’t run away.”
“What do you think?”
“……”
“Answer me, Michael. You always know the truth.”
“No. I can be wrong too. Choi told me so.”
“Oh, poor Michael.”
Herick embraced Michael tightly. You’re still under the illusion. You’re never wrong.
“If that’s the case, why don’t we make a bet?”
“A bet?”
“Yes. I believe your words, and you believe Choi’s words.”
Herick continued while gently stroking Michael’s back.
“If Choi runs away as I believe he will, then I win the bet. Then you have to grant my wish. But if Choi stays by your side as you believe he will,”
Herick’s hand stroking Michael’s back gradually applied more pressure. Michael smiled faintly at Herick’s arm tightening around his waist.
“Then I’ll leave your side. You don’t like me, right?”
Herick released his arms and let go of Michael. Michael gave no answer. He didn’t deny it either. Herick’s eyes trembled slightly before he covered his mouth and quietly laughed. He felt as if Michael’s eyes were glaring at him.
Why always.
Why.
Herick knelt to meet Michael’s eye level. Michael’s clear eyes were incomparably beautiful. Herick slightly raised his head and kissed Michael’s cheek. Michael obediently accepted his kiss.
Feeling abandoned.
Herick thought as he left Michael’s room. He didn’t feel particularly miserable. He was rather puzzled why he had only just realized that Michael disliked him. Because there was now a point of comparison called ‘Choi’? Perhaps.
At some point he realized it. Naturally, like flowing water. His blurry vision was gradually clearing, like fog lifting.
Honestly, Herick couldn’t tell what this emotion he was feeling was. Sadness? No. Anger, then? Not that either.
He suddenly stopped while walking down a seemingly endless corridor. The corridor was dark as if the lights had gone out. Yes, this feeling. Herick covered his eyes with his hands. It was still the same darkness.
I’m afraid.
Herick’s world was crumbling. Everything seemed to be made of falsehoods, deceiving him.
You killed us. A man without blood or tears. We’ll curse you.
What is truth, and what is delusion? The boundary that he had prided himself on being solid until now began to collapse in an instant due to Michael’s rejection. Suffer in loneliness and meet a miserable end. Because no one will love you. Dozens of voices chattered in Herick’s ears.
Herick Lopez!
Herick covered his ears. He was afraid to face their screams. I don’t know. I don’t remember killing you.
Herick, barely supporting his body by leaning his back against the wall, panted. He couldn’t find his center. This is all fake. No, is it really fake? Herick tightly shut his eyes.
Shameless. Selfish. Craves love but can’t take responsibility. Incompetent and ignorant. Ignorant and stupid. Stupid and foolish!
Stop it. Herick’s hands covering his ears trembled violently. The people who had been mocking him began to sing a song filled with resentment. Please stop. It’s noisy. Their laughter echoed all around. Watch the downfall of the Lopez family. A soul filled with grudge doesn’t disappear. We’ll always be by your side. Our last Lopez.
You can never be sav—
“What are you doing, Herick?”
Someone grabbed Herick’s arm. Startled, Herick opened his eyes. In front of him stood Hyungoh, looking dumbfounded. He had a worried face.
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
Hyungoh examined every corner of Herick’s body. Herick, whose legs had given way, collapsed to the floor. Uh-oh. Hyungoh, who had been holding Herick’s arm, inadvertently sat down with him.
Herick checked the light fixture on the ceiling. It was diligently illuminating the corridor as if it had never been off.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I saw Marsha fighting with some man outside. Theo went to help, but I thought I’d just be in the way if I hung around… Wait, why are you looking at me like that? If there had been a shovel or a metal rod nearby, I would’ve helped without hesitation. I was just being rational, Herick. I know my physical abilities better than anyone.”
Hyungoh, habitually frowning at Herick who was staring at him without saying anything, began to defend himself. Herick, who had been in a daze, gradually regained his senses.
“I came up here to make sure Michael and Herick were safe. Then I was going to get something to use as a weapon and go back out. Hah, really, you don’t believe me again? Let me say it once more, I was just being rational…”
“Shut up, I get it.”
Herick barely uttered in a hoarse voice. Without the usual sarcasm from Herick, Hyungoh finally realized that his condition was not normal.
“Uh… Are you okay, Herick?”
“Move.”
Herick, pushing Hyungoh aside, stood up. After staggering momentarily from slight dizziness, he soon moved his feet.
“Where are you going? You don’t look well, maybe you should just stay in your room…”
“You stay cooped up in a room, stop pretending to be nice.”
“……”
What an attitude. Hyungoh muttered, glaring at the back of Herick’s head, before turning around and heading toward Michael’s room. Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing, Herick bit his lip.
Acting like a hypocrite.
Herick entered his room and took out a gun that had been carefully placed in the last drawer. As the nightmare disappeared, fear instantly transformed into anger, tormenting Herick. Come to think of it, Michael has become violent since that guy came. With hands that wouldn’t stop trembling, he fumbled as he loaded the bullets.
Pretending to be all nice on the outside while trying to take everything away from me. As the trembling worsened, Herick violently struck the desk with his fist.
“Damn it!”
Herick lowered his head. His fist, which had left a mark on the desk, no longer trembled. His hand fumbled around, searching for the gun. Grabbing it, it had quite a substantial weight.
Herick raised his head with a fierce look in his eyes. The sight of him walking sluggishly and kicking the door open appeared infinitely precarious.
