173 A Melancholic Smile, II

"Ready when you are."

Mark lay his hands against the cold doors, and everyone went silent.

The Moonlit Feline's heart was pumping powerfully. So much so that the other two could practically hear it.

He took a deep breath in and remained immobile for a moment.

They didn't rush him.

It had come.

The time to leave.

The time to enter a new World.

And just when he was about to push the doors open.

"Ummm..."

Mark sighed.

It was the second time Elisa was interrupting him as he was about to push those doors.

"What is it?" Mark asked without turning or moving away from the Exit.

"It's just... We're in front of the Exit. So according to our Contract..."

"Yeah? What?"

"Well... Do you have a Request of your own?"

Mark could feel his nose twitch.

"I didn't fulfill yours, so-"

"It's not about fulfilling. Just about hearing the other out."

He turned his head to look back at her.