Chapter 40: Unveiled Wrath

As she opened her eyes, the dimly lit surroundings gradually came into view, allowing her to see the moss-covered stone walls that emitted a faint, ominous green glow.

She opened her mouth, releasing a soft, inaudible sigh.

'It's that time, I guess…'

Lifting herself up, the girl mechanically stretched her arms before slowly combing her fingers through her silky, snow-white hair.

Turning her head to look over her shoulder, the girl, Suzu Taniguchi, glanced at the two sleeping figures laying only a few feet away.

'Must be nice, huh.'

Her gaze slightly wistful as she quietly squinted her eyes, staring pointedly at the blonde-haired girl of whom she strongly disliked, cuddling up to the man who was also responsible for giving her such complicated feelings in the first place.

Shaking her head, Suzu restrained the urge to click her tongue, mildly annoyed at being so emotional. 

Merely witnessing this scene had caused a near unbearable tightness to arise within her chest, seemingly constricting her heart as though someone were squeezing it with their bare hands. 

It was bad enough that she almost visibly winced. 

'Haa… This… How pathetic am I…'

Her irritation at this perceived vulnerability, her self-deprecating thoughts that had been brought to mind because of that, and her growing vexation that repeated this entire sequence all over again, it was a perpetual cycle from which she couldn't escape.

Nearly a week back, from the moment she first bore witness to the confirmation of Aziel and Yue's previously ambiguous relationship, it had become a downward spiral she couldn't control.

It was a murky feeling, like black sludge gathering in every corner of her heart, slowly eroding her from the inside out.

That was exactly why she'd decided to ignore him from then on, to prepare herself for what was eventually to come. She couldn't, no, she wouldn't allow her thoughts and actions to be dictated solely by emotion.

She had already steeled her resolve, having no other choice but to accept the facts as they were.

After all, she too, had her own pride.

'It was fun for a while…'

Cracking a small, bitter smile, Suzu silently lifted herself onto her feet, ignoring the empty chasm swelling within her chest.

Her time with 'him' had been an enjoyable experience, she could admit, but everything had to come to an end at some point. 

At least, that was what she made herself to believe. 

After putting on the clothes given to her by Aziel, she prepared to set off at last. There were some things she just couldn't bring herself to accept, and she saw no reason in forcing it.

Thus…

Suzu decided to leave for good.

The journey that began on her own, would also end in the exact same manner—with no one else except herself.

'This is for the best…'

The same words repeated in her mind, over and over again until she was fully convinced.

This was bound to happen.

Turning her head, she took one last look at the man who'd given her the one push she needed to not only survive, but also thrive in this hell they called an abyss, he, who didn't allow her to perish in solitary darkness all by her lonesome, the man who…never ceased to occupy her thoughts. 

She suddenly grabbed her arm and pinched it, attempting to rid herself of all reluctance. 

'I don't need this shit.'

Truly, this was for the best.

And just before walking away, her gaze lingered momentarily on the blonde-haired vampire sleeping next to him, feeling knots slowly start to entangle her heart.

It was distasteful.

She, of course, wasn't petty enough to attack Yue in her sleep, no matter how much they disliked each other. Even if they were keen on fighting to the death, it would only be on equal terms, such was an implicit understanding between the two girls. 

Sabotage and foul play weren't things they took into consideration, instinctively believing that it'd render their feud meaningless if they ever stooped so low.

If there was at least one thing both girls valued in common, it was this.

And so, silently, Suzu turned back around and walked away, hoping to leave behind such cumbersome feelings that were no longer her priority.

The curtains had been drawn, and that was that.

Although she remained with the gaping feeling of loss, as though a precious, integral part of her near dead emotions had been shattered to fragments, she was willing to accept it.

That crippling weight, she had no choice but to bear it and move on. The pain, the agony she may have suffered upon staying, she wanted to save herself before she could sink any deeper, before she drowned completely. 

'Enough is enough.'

Suzu shook her head as she slipped through a small crevice in their temporary resting grounds, moving swiftly, almost as though she were fleeing.

Brushing a hand against the walls, her slender fingers glided across its rugged stone surface, eventually pulling herself out into the open with ease. 

The air was thick, filled with a rotten, pungent smell that would make one frown instinctively. Darkness hung over the entire floor, bleak and oppressive, only illuminated by the occasional dark green glow spread throughout.

'Finally…'

Dusting off her clothes, Suzu put one foot forward, then the other, continuing until she was walking aimlessly. There was a goal in sight, but despite her efforts, her mind refused to focus.

Memories flashed by one after another, the past weeks she'd spent with 'him', the vivid moments in which she indulged herself. After facing countless life or death struggles, at that time, she finally felt free, free of any and all burden. 

She didn't have to look over her shoulder every second of the day in order to watch out for danger, there was support, someone who could protect her. There was someone who cared for her well-being, capable of saving her from all potential harm.

And even if he didn't say it aloud, Suzu knew—she could recognize the genuine attention given to her. 

The one who always made sure she was fed, the one who always mended her ragged clothes, the one who always made sure everything was okay, the one who…

'It doesn't matter anymore.'

In spite of all that, Suzu didn't want to be bothered.

Her heart was selfish, just as most humans tended to be. She was an earthling, one of Japanese descent at that, and certain core values reflected such.

If she couldn't have 'him', there was no need to entrench herself in a losing battle. After all, she was loath to share his affection, especially so if it were grossly lopsided. 

Though she had come to accept, and even somewhat embrace the feelings that were once pushed down deep inside, she couldn't keep chasing after a fleeting dream. 

That was just who she was, she couldn't cling desperately like Yue, she wasn't that kind of person.

No matter what, some things had to be let go of.

After passing through a wide corridor that stretched far out, Suzu noticed the ominous green glow growing brighter, lighting up the surrounding area as if to mark a checkpoint.

The sound of many legs skittering across solid ground echoed throughout the vast cavern, more than likely originating from one of the many spiders inhabiting this floor.

However, what surprised her weren't any of these sensory details, but the outline of a familiar figure standing just up ahead.

A figure that shouldn't have been there.

Leaning back against the wall behind them, they stood, their posture lax with both hands causally tucked into their pockets. 

That sharp gaze staring straight at her—

Naturally, it could be no one else but…Aziel.

'Why are you…'

Suzu squinted her eyes slightly, wondering if it was really him.

Confusion, incredulity, and consternation all mingled together, forming a delayed reaction on her part.

Still, after a few seconds, she regained her composure, returning to her usual self as she continued walking and paid him no mind at all.

Whatever this was supposed to be had nothing to do with her, and she wasn't willing to waste her time on it.

A heavy feeling settled in her heart as she neared, getting ready to pass by him just a moment later. 

There were no obvious signs, yet it felt as though this was a final hurdle, a hurdle that would completely sever all ties should she choose to overcome it. 

And just as she took another step, one that would leave his presence behind for good, his perpetually calm voice rang out, reaching her ears almost immediately.

Every cell in her body seemed to resonate alongside it, giving rise to an uncomfortable sensation that crawled throughout.

"I hope you didn't get lost, else I would be embarrassed for you..."

Yea, it was definitely him alright. 

Even so, Suzu repressed the immediate urge to answer him, and pushed onward, her face a mask of indifference. She had no idea why or even how he came to be here, but it wasn't her concern anymore. 

She'd made her decision already, and she was hard pressed to go back on it so easily.

However—

"You're still gonna ignore me?"

"..."

Suzu stopped in place, just before she collided with his chest. 

The man himself stood before her, blocking her path of advance. 

Her full height came up to just a few centimeters below his collarbone, forcing her to look up if she desired eye contact, but she didn't.

There was no need.

Her silence spoke louder than words, and there was nothing left to discuss.

As such, she wanted to leave immediately, before…

Before she ended up—

"What do you want?"

Against her wishes, she opened her mouth, though her voice remained flat and disinterested.

"Oh…? You're actually talking to me now, huh. I'm so happy I think I could die."

"Just get out of the way and go back."

Cold and dismissive, she spoke, not humoring him in the least.

They stood merely inches away, close enough to hear the sound of each other's breathing, but Suzu seemed not to mind too much, as if it didn't matter.

She could feel his quiet gaze pouring over her, serene and without fluctuation. 

Though she looked indifferent on the surface, the distance between them, even if only slightly, was slowly starting to get to her.

"Why are you even here?"

She finally asked, keeping the same placid tone as before.

"Funny you should ask, since I came out here wondering the same exact thing about you."

"And that's no concern of yours."

"It's not?"

"No, it isn't…"

Suzu immediately stepped aside, opting to go around him instead.

She saw no reason to continue this farce, and nothing he did would change her mind at this point.

That was what she mistakenly believed.

"...This whole time, you were jealous, right?"

"Huh…?"

Her mind instantly went blank, causing her to stop in her tracks at once. 

His words were so out of the blue that she couldn't properly form a reaction.

Since, after all, Aziel was never one to broach these kinds of topics on his own.

"Don't act so surprised. Seeing someone so close to me, you hated it, right? Hell, it probably wasn't even Yue herself you hated, you just didn't like what she was doing."

Suzu flinched, standing completely still as she processed every word. 

"Especially… because it wasn't you who had such a relationship with me."

Turning around, she looked at him silently, opening and closing her mouth in an attempt to deny his claims, but she couldn't.

The evidence was clear as day, and she knew deep down that he was speaking the truth.

The feelings she had already accepted didn't allow her to refuse that notion.

But—

"So what…?"

Suzu furrowed her brows, becoming unknowingly invested in what he had to say. Not only that, she also disdained being put on the spot like this.

"Even if that's true, what does it matter, huh?"

A burning sensation arose in the back of her throat, spreading down throughout her chest as an inflamed red hue slowly dyed her cheeks.

There was no embarrassment or fluster in her expression, but pique and indignance.

"Do you think you can just say—"

"How about we stop acting like we don't know what's really going on."

Aziel suddenly spoke, cutting Suzu off.

"What…?"

She blinked in confusion, irritated at being interrupted and perplexed as to what he was so certain of.

Her mind remained troubled, feeling an ominous sensation slowly creep up. 

"You didn't really want to leave in the first place, did you?"

What did he mean by that?

Suzu couldn't understand, no, she didn't want to understand what he was saying exactly.

That would mean she was truly…

"You decided to 'escape' around the time we usually wake up instead of going way earlier."

"....That's not true."

Shaking her head, she denied it. 

"Which means…you most likely would've left for good had I not come to stop you."

"Stop talking, stop…"

His voice, powerful enough to shake her heart, made her isolated, as if her surroundings had gone completely dark.

This feeling of being backed into a corner, she— 

"But…if I had actually made an effort, showing you that I wanted to keep you here, you… You had no plans of leaving, right…?"

"Be quiet, I'm telling you not to speak…!"

Rage, desperation, and anxiety, her truest emotions had been laid bare.

"It's interesting though, actually. Since… It seems you weren't even aware of it yourself." 

Trembling, her rage boiled over the tipping point. 

That casual tone and blunt manner of speaking made his intentions obvious.

Those eyes, that sharp gaze looking down at her, seeing through all her turmoil and picking it apart so easily… It was infuriating.

She watched as he put one foot forward, stepping toward her at a leisure pace.

"If you asked me…"

Only a few feet away, he delivered the final nail in the coffin. 

"I think… You don't ever want to leave my side."

Confidence, grace, power, he had it all, and seemed not to be troubled by anything.

Suzu, lacking emotional balance and harboring faint insecurities, felt as though she were being toyed with.

This disparity…

This unfairness…

She couldn't stand it.

Thats why—

"SHUT THE HELL UP!!"

*FWOO!—CRSHH!—CRSHH!—CRSHHHHHH!!!*

An instinct, one that forces all problems away, one that destroys everything.

Her darkened vision finally cleared.

The sound of her heartbeat drummed in her ears, accompanied by a sharp ringing.

Looking down at her trembling hands, she questioned.

'What… What have I done…'

______________________

Did you miss me? Hm~?

I had some work to do so I was busy, but I thank you patient and impatient cubs that are enjoying this story for waiting.

Oh, and, by the way, the next chapter should move things along.

Was a lil stuck, not gon' lie.

Lastly, this is a stick up.

Put your power stones in the bag.

C'mon, hurry.

Do it.