Upon the rocky waters of desire with a friend, we sail.

"Is she gone?" Nea peeked in the living room.

"Yup, you really can't mesh with her, huh?" I said. I always asked her this question whenever we got to see the manager...

"She's like a very educated wolf who wanted to be a government official but couldn't pass the cut because of their crippling sugar addiction."

... and she would always say the same stupid thing. What's with that? So damn random!

"Well, whatever. You aren't going to the dojo, right?"

"Not today, nope," I said. "It's already been a year, huh..."

"Hard to believe, right? What an intense time that was." Nea walked over to the couch and sat across me. I smirked at her and waved a hand around.

"Things are going to get crazier soon. Your training is proof of that."

"Hmm, I would like to test things in a real battle... Will you be teaching me again today?" she asked.

"Nah, I already taught you more than enough."

"Wait, the training sessions are over?"

"Yup," I nodded and reached for the jug of water on the table.

"Just like that?"

"Eyup."

"The heck! Can't you be more sentimental about something like this!? We trained almost every day for an entire year!"

I gulped the water down and looked at her with cold eyes. She had seen this plenty when we were training and immediately shriveled up. "What?" she asked.

"I feel like bothering that Eric bastard today."

"....Why?" Nea panned her head sideways while maintaining eye contact.

"I dislike guys who could grow up to look better than me."

"He already looks better—sorry."

**

Eric Tanabe walked alone on the narrow bridge from his house. His face curved in a frown, for the bridge was as narrow as his self-esteem and the streaming water as voluminous as his desire for love.

'Ah, my heart woes. Once again, I spend mine days all alone. Withal none to share mine grief and none to share mine joy. Whither would I find a mate?'

The youth thought. Alas! Just as he was about to drown in the sea of his lamentation, a voice resounded!

"Rock my boat, you sad fuck!"

'Behold! 'tis mine messiah! A man I barely got acquainted with hath appeared to end mine woes. He hath vanquished mine grief and handed me his joy. Just who is this gentle soul?'

The youth thought! Before he could even smile. A lady appeared from behind him and stashed him on the boat the noble soul occupied.

"Man, I get it. Just stop that stupid narration, yeah?" Eric said.

"I found it funny. Keep going, crapbag brother," Nea replied, defending me.

"Really? That? You siblings both have a screw loose?"

"Shut up, you sad fuck! Can't you appreciate how nice a friend I am being?"

"Not when you brag about it, no!"

"Trust me, Eric. Once Ivan tells jokes, it will deprive us of our sanity, and death will be the only thing we could look forward to. At least this is bearable."

"You unfilial bitch! How rude!" I snapped! This philistine was never defending me! It was a roundabout tactic to insult me!

"I can't imagine how horrid that might be, but I don't doubt it for even a second."

"Et Tu, sad fuck?" I clasped my chest.

"Where are we going, anyway?" Eric asked. I was ignored...

"Oh, a dungeon," Nea answered.

"Hahaha!! What?"

"A dungeon," I replied with as straight a face as I could make.

"Ah, I thought you said a dungeon. Sorry, sorry."

"We are saying a dungeon, you sad fuck."

"Oh... LET ME OFF THIS FUCKING BOAT!! HELP!!!"

... We eventually reached the dungeon.