Wood crackles as fire consumes it.

  Though even as grass grazes the flame, it does not burn.

  The moon hovers just above, casting a faint, pale light.

  A girl lies on the ground, grass blades brushing the sides of her face.

  [You've grown.]

  The sound echoes in her mind, clear enough to overlap her wandering thoughts.

  [I do believe you're ready for when the time comes.]

  [Certainly.]

  She gazes around the sky, her deep, dark blue eyes reflecting the stars.

  [You don't know me, parasite.]

  [Call me anything you want. I'm the sole reason for your power.]

  [Shut up.]

  The noise inside her seems to clear up.

  Closing her eyes, she smiles.

  No accidents this time.

  [It's really late. I should head home.]

  She stands up, patting off dirt and leaves from her clothes.

  Glancing at the fire, she sighs.

  It dies out, leaving just an ashen wooden log.

  Walking towards the forest, she leaves the clearing behind.

  Light barely reaches, forcing her to squint her eyes to see.

  Even after a while, they can't seem to adjust.

  Something settles on her back, sending shivers down her spine.

  Her heart races.

  Panicked, she turns around.

  Nothing.

  Though it claws inside her head.

  [Don't hesitate.]

  [I didn't ask for your opinion.]

  Walking again, she tries to calm herself down.

  She feels butterflies in her stomach.

  Too many.

  Frustrated, she presses her back against a tree.

  Staring ahead.

  Blinking rapidly.

  Breathing raggedly.

  Not really convincing.

  [I'm not... Hesitating.]

  You've done this before.

  Many times.

  So why?

  Kanna shuts her eyes.

  As the lighting changes, she slowly opens them again.

  Wisps of fire glow around.

  Static.

  Burning.

  [Do not sell yourself short.]

  [I'm not.]

  [You certainly are.]

  [Leave me alone.]

  The will-o'-wisps follow, cutting through the darkness.

  It's almost too bright.

  But she wouldn't risk it.

  [Certain—]

  [Can't you shut up already? I know. I won't do it. I won't.]

  [...I'm not as special as you think I am.]

  No response.

  Her steps hasten.

  Finally getting out of the forest, the hum of an engine can be heard.

  Just ahead, a car is parked on the road.

  She approaches, grabbing the handle before opening the door.

  Warmth envelops her as she slides in.

  [It's really late.]

  She fastens her seatbelt, rubbing her hands together.

  They're cold.

  Really cold.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Her gaze falls on the dashboard.

  3:02 AM.

  [Yeah... I was just, too focused on training. Sorry, Jenneah.]

  The car steers as it drives down the road.

  [It's okay.]

  An immediate response.

  An automated response.

  Kanna's eyes start to itch, eyelids heavy.

  She rubs her eyes, feeling lightheaded as tiredness gets the best of her.

  [I... wanted to tell you something, Kanna.]

  [What is it?]

  [Well, I already told Ayumu about this. About the, uh, Assessment.]

  [Just... Take it easy, alright? If you pass the initial test, then you can stay in off—]

  [I've already told you, I want to be an Exterminator.]

  [...No. I just can't accept that. It's too dangerous, Kanna.]

  [You knew it was dangerous for me to do the Pact. Don't act like you care now.]

  Kanna's eyes narrow.

  [Say what you want. All I know is I'll be—]

  [Listen to me for once!]

  Jenneah raises her voice.

  [You won't become an Exterminator. You have a future to protect, to look forward to. Pass the initial test, get a stable office job, and you'll be set. You won't risk your life.]

  Kanna curses under her breath.

  [You won't end like... Friedrich.]

  [That's rich coming from you!]

  She snaps.

  [You could've stopped me when you drove me to do the Pact! You could've supported me when I s-said... When I lied about what I wanted to be!]

  Jenneah: [Don't... Make this any more complicated.]

  [You're never there when I need it! All you do is complain about what I want to do. My well-being is just an excuse for you to get a say in my life!]

  [I'll be what I want to be.]

  [I swear.]

  The old woman clicks her tongue.

  [Do what you want.]

  [I don't expect anything from you anymore.]

  Kanna winces.

  That hurt more than expected.

  Don't sell yourself short.

  It'd be great to come up with a comeback.

  Something to ground her in her place.

  It's better off silent.

  [You all push yourselves too hard.]

  Kanna clenches her jaw, trying to ignore the woman.

  The drive home feels endless.

  The road doesn't seem to end.

  It weaves and twists into several directions.

  Kanna closes her eyes, dizzy.

  [Do you even know where you're headed?]

  Kanna: [Leave me be, Jenneah. I've already decided.]

  [Is it really that hard to understand... That I'm doing this for a reason?]

  [It wasn't clear at first, I know. But now... It's different, alright?]

  [So just... Leave me be. I can make things work out.]

  Jenneah decides not to press further.

  Finally, the Center is seen.

  The deep black of the night seems to have turned into a dark blue.

  4:19 AM.

  Kanna gets out of the car, walking clumsily towards the door.

  Stepping through the entrance, she turns right, walking through the corridor while yawning.

  Tears prick the corners of her eyes.

  Reaching for the handle, she opens the door to her room.

  Stumbling with her own feet, she plops down on bed.

  Kanna closes her eyes.

  [Don't share that same dream with me again.]

  Silence.

  [It is not a dream you see.]

  [Certainly.]

  Kanna clenches her jaw.

  Trembling.

  [I wish it was, then.]

  [Go to sleep now. It is certainly enough for today.]

  A switch turns off.

  Or it seems like it did.

  ...

  It was the only way.

  ——

  A loud knocking wakes her up. She rubs her eyes, glancing around the room in search of a brush. Lazily, she ends up brushing her hair with her hands.

  Springing out of bed, she walks over to the door, grabbing the handle as she opens it.

  Ayumu stands in front, a confused expression on his face.

  He blinks rapidly.

  [What's wrong?]

  [I... Don't know. Jenneah's calling us to her office.]

  [Alright... Let's go.]

  Leaving the room, she follows Ayumu through the corridor.

  The light forces her to lower her gaze, eyes tearing up already.

  Her feet brush the carpet, sliding through lazily.

  She winces, stepping on something.

  Ayumu turns around.

  [Hurry up, Kanna.]

  [Yeah, sorry.]

  Screams can be heard from Jenneah's office.

  Ayumu: [Is she... Screaming?]

  Kanna: [Looks like it.]

  Walking through the entrance room, they stop in front of her office.

  Ayumu knocks before opening the door.

  Jenneah jerks her head towards both.

  [Come in. Now.]

  Stepping inside, they stand at the corner.

  Hinozu's just in front, gaze lowered.

  The old woman paces, hand placed on her forehead.

  Stopping abruptly, she stares at Ayumu and Kanna.

  [What have you told him?]

  Her voice leaks with anger.

  Kanna: [What do you mean?]

  Ayumu: [We haven't—]

  [Then why? What has happened, then? Do you think I'm dumb or something?!]

  Kanna sighs.

  [We don't know anything. What's even happened?]

  Jenneah points at Hinozu.

  [Ask him.]

  Kanna's gaze falls on Hinozu. Concerned, she asks.

  [What's... Happened, Hinozu?]

  [I...]

  He steps back.

  [It's nothing.]

  [It's not nothing. You...!]

  Jenneah shouts.

  Hinozu flinches.

  [You can tell us, Hinozu. It's alright.]

  She turns to Ayumu.

  [We and Ayumu will listen.]

  Ayumu stays silent.

  [... Ah, yeah. You can tell... Us.]

  Jenneah: [Spit it out already. You didn't have such a hard time telling me.]

  [I want...]

  His lips quiver.

  [I want to do the Assessment... Too.]

  He averts his gaze.

  Kanna's eyes shoot up in surprise.

  [...What? Why?]

  [Something's got into his head. He's just du—]

  [We didn't ask for your opinion.]

  Jenneah's expression turns fierce. She walks over to her chair, sitting to calm herself.

  Kanna: [So? What's happened? Why have you decided to...?]

  Jenneah taps her fingers on her desk.

  [Because...]

  He whispers.

  [Hm?]

  [Why do you... Even care?]

  Kanna's eyes widen.

  [What do you mean? Of course... I care. Because...]

  [I mean...]

  Her mind goes blank.

  The room falls silent.

  Hinozu's expression turns...

  Normal.

  A small smile spreads on his lips.

  [I decided to do it... Because of the promise I made to... Sayaka.]

  [Yeah... That's why. So, I need to fulfill it.]

  [It's going to be alright.]

  [It's really going to be alright. I've even been training to—]

  Jenneah slams her hand on the desk.

  [What do you mean you've been training?]

  Ayumu's eyes widen. The old woman stands up, her expression reeking of disappointment.

  [Do you even know how dangerous that is? You recently had an accident, what could've happened if...?]

  [I know, but... It's all I could do.]

  [Could do to what? Hinozu...]

  [I-]

  [Stop this.]

  [It's going to end up nowhere.]

  [You don't know that.]

  Hinozu snaps.

  [I've... Been trying. I'm making some progress.]

  He quickly tones down.

  [I'm speaking from experience. Does that mean nothing to you?]

  [It's not that...]

  [Then leave it be. You can't risk your life like that.]

  [It's better for you to be an engineer, like you want—]

  [I don't want to.]

  His expression turns hurt.

  Really hurtful.

  [What? What are you saying? Do you even know what's coming out of your mouth?]

  [Do you even believe yourself?]

  Hinozu opens and closes his mouth repetitively.

  Desperately.

  His only response...

  A tear.

  And then, more.

  Though he quickly swipes them away.

  Just... Let me try.

  Jenneah seems to have calmed down.

  [Don't waste yourself like that, Hinozu.]

  [I know what you're thinking, it's normal for your age. Just... Ignore those dreams and fantasies. It's just going to be worse for you.]

  Ayumu's face twists in open hostility.

  Just for a second.

  [Focus on your studies. Alright?]

  Hinozu stays silent.

  [Is that clear?]

  [Alright.]

  [I'll do it.]

  I'll prove you wrong.