124 Infiltration 11

"A person like you, what do they fear most?" Lia's lips rose, "It's having their reputation slandered, ruined. It's public humiliation."

"Teacher, no! I-" tears formed in Zero's eyes again that hatefully stared at Lia, "You're the worst and most vile teacher!"

"Says villain A."

Zero pressed his mouth together.

"But rest assured I won't do you wrong. I'm merely giving you a chance to redeem yourself," despite Zero's mistake, public humiliation and completely ruining his reputation was the worst approach anyone could take.

And after all, Lia knew how hurtful and awful being slandered was, she didn't want to ruin Zero, throw him into a bottomless pit, but she wanted to lift him up and give him the chance to turn around.

"How many things have you buried here?"

Zero thought for a while before saying, "Many."

"Good, tonight you won't be sleeping. Here," Lia pushed the shovel into his hands, "You will dig all of the belongings you have buried out and tomorrow you return them to their owners with a sincere apology. While you dig, reflect on what you've done wrong."

"I-!"

Lia pulled Zero up and made him dig.

"And from tomorrow on, you'll aid me personally with my work. All my documents need to be done. It's a good opportunity for you to take responsibility and I can keep a close eye on you."

"That's labour abuse!" Zero shouted doggedly but started to dig.

"Oh? A teacher is asked by a bad thief of a student to assist them as punishment. It sounds way better than to be expelled, no?"

Zero halted, "E-Expelled?"

"Of course, you didn't think about the consequences, did you? Nor did you think how bad your actions are. Bad kids like you should go to jail," Lia sat down and watched Zero do the work.

"There's no jail."

"There is. Mistand, I've personally seen the prisoners…eating Others."

"Liar!" Zero was frightened to the point he could barely stand.

"Then you shouldn't have stolen."

"It wasn't my-"

"It is," Lia harshly stopped him, "You have the freedom over your own thoughts and actions. And once you decide to do something, you have no one else to blame but yourself. You can list endless excuses but in the end, who did the action was yourself."

The faint moonlight was able to penetrate the thick branches of the trees and bounced on Zero's head as it wobbled up and down.

"If you dislike others getting close to you or physically touching you, there are other ways to show it. A- you can tell them, B- you can stop pretending to be a goody shoe, and if you're so afraid that you'll be disliked, then work on yourself."

Zero didn't say anything. Only the faint image of the sharp edge boring into the earth was present. Then slowly Zero said, "It's easy for you to say…. You have no idea about me."

"I don't but I'm holding out a hand for you to take. No matter what happened, it's still not right to let it influence your future actions nor use the past as an excuse."

"Zero," Lia stood up and patted his head briefly, "When someone makes a mistake, the world won't end but you could destroy someone else' world by a simple word or a simple action. If you make a mistake, you have to make sure to straighten it out again. And if you can't see your own mistake, then someone else will point it out to you, in this case, me."

Zero turned away from Lia, "Go away! Shut up! You are the one who should stop pretending to be such a good person! You vile-!" the rest Zero mumble but throughout the whole night Zero didn't stop digging.

And soon when morning broke on, a pile of things formed on the ground.

"Good, take a shower and come to my room afterwards," Lia told him the direction and saw him walking off. The pile of things Lia took with her and strode to her room.

Once back in her room, Lia laid them on the ground and waited for Zero. She thought he might bail but a tiny knock on the door announced his arrival.

Lia let him in and said, "I hope you can still remember what belongs to who, we'll go to every person. You have thought about what to say, no?"

Zero sat on the ground with his head lowered. He wasn't wearing his robe anymore but a simple t-shirt and shorts which made him look like a teenager instead of an angelic youth. Lia waited, then she saw the slight nod of his.

"Good," Lia walked next to Zero and helped him sort through the things before putting them into a bag. Then they made a list of the rooms to visit in order.

Lia felt that Zero was actually pretty tame and obedient. He wasn't a bad person, only someone who had no guidance to tell him what he could do and what could harm others.

Zero lacked the ability to distinguish between his own perception and that which was morally accepted as right. It seemed he did want to make up for this mistake, even though he didn't admit he was wrong.

Before they set out, Lia turned to Zero and asked, "Do you really know what you've done wrong?"

Zero still remained silent but his trembling hands gave away that he was nervous about what was to follow.

He had to lay everything bare of himself and make amends yet Lia didn't feel bad for him. It was a good opportunity for him to grow as well as for Lia.

"I'm being considerate, instead of making it public, individually going to everyone will create a more intimate and personal atmosphere, so use it wisely."

Zero refused eye contact but walked towards the lift. With the bag under his arm, he resembled a small mailboy but there was no doubt he was anxious. For some reason, Lia sought to comfort him.

"It's ok, as long as you're sincere, your intent will come over. And even if they don't forgive you now, you'll work hard to make sure you prove to them you've really changed and earn back their trust. As long as it takes, repent and make up for your mistakes. Promise you'll never do it again and then make sure you'll keep the promise," Lia reached out to pat him on the head but Zero turned away and scurried to a faraway corner in the lift. Away from Lia.

Lia sighed but hoped her words were soaked up by him. As they stood in front of the first door, Lia saw how tense Zero was. She didn't know what else to tell him apart from what she's said, so she only added, "It's going to be fine."

"I don't need you to treat me like a kid! You're annoying, go away!" but Zero made no attempt to push Lia away, instead he glanced at her repeatedly. His stare swayed between Lia and the door.

"If you want me to knock, then say it."

"I have no intention of asking you for anything. Leave me alone!" with that Zero knocked on the door on an impulse and secretly regretted it the next second.

A slender, tall youth opened the door, "Zero, what's up, what- and teacher!" the youth who slouched instantly straightened and bowed seeing Lia.

"Hello," Lia greeted him and smiled, "Can we come in? There's something we'd like to talk to you about."

"Please," the youth beckoned them into his room and seated them on the sofa.

"Erm, Miss Kim, did I do anything wrong?" the youth nervously looked at Lia. Having a teacher in their room, especially so early, wasn't good for any student's heart.

"You didn't," Lia smiled again but it only set the youth's heart into a bigger turmoil but luckily, Lia's next words lightened the pressure on his fragile heart, "But Zero did."

Sending Zero up to the execution stage with nowhere to back out again, Zero bit the bullet.