[10 months left.]

  It was night again.

  One of countless.

  It was that time again.

  The wraps rasping his skin are soaked in deep red.

  His head feels light, his vision unfocused.

  Hinozu leans against the log, the wood pressing hard on his back.

  [That's enough for today.]

  A glass of water, offered to him. It trembles slightly as Hinozu takes it.

  His body feels refreshed as he takes a big gulp.

  Hinozu: [Thank you, Kanna.]

  [Hinozu.]

  A concerned expression.

  Kanna: [Are you really planning to...]

  Hinozu: [Yeah.]

  She takes the empty glass.

  Kanna: [I trust you know what you're doing.]

  Hinozu's eyes narrow, though he stays silent. Soon enough, the two return inside. They stop at the entrance.

  Kanna: [Come downstairs later for dinner.]

  Hinozu nods as he takes the stairs towards his room.

  Kanna makes her way to the kitchen, sliding the door open. Ayumu's there, crouching as he watches something inside the oven intently.

  Kanna: [What are you making?]

  Ayumu: [It's a surprise.]

  She moves to the stove and lifts the lid from a steaming pot.

  Kanna: [This seems to be done.]

  [I'm still confused.]

  Kanna: [Confused?]

  Ayumu: [I didn't think...]

  A sigh.

  [Never mind!]

  He laughs.

  Kanna raises a brow.

  Kanna: [Don't talk to me unless you know what you're saying.]

  Her expression turns into irritation as Ayumu sticks out his tongue.

  Kanna: [You're as dumb as a donkey.]

  She grips the pot's handles with two pieces of cloth.

  Ayumu: [The whole pot? What have you made?]

  She smirks, heading out of the kitchen.

  Kanna: [You're not the only one who made something special!]

  The cloth draped over the table muffles the thud as she sets the pot on it. Ayumu approaches with a large plate covered with a metal bowl.

  Kanna: [Smells acceptable.]

  Ayumu: [Whatever you say. You know I cook better than you.]

  Kanna: [Don't make me laugh.]

  [I'd say you're both equally good.]

  The old woman sits at the table.

  Kanna: [You don't have to feel pity for him.]

  Ayumu: [Am I a human being to you?]

  Kanna clicks her tongue as she takes a seat next to Jenneah.

  Kanna: [I think you know the answer.]

  Ayumu sits down, scraping the chair.

  A while after, footsteps approach the living room.

  Jenneah: [Welcome, welcome. Take a seat.]

  Kanna: [About time.]

  With everyone seated, Kanna serves her dish eagerly.

  Kanna: [I've made my special stew today.]

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  Ayumu: [It's just lamb meat with gravy. You'll want to see mine.]

  Hinozu: [Your veins are going to burst, Kanna.]

  He says, chuckling. Ayumu laughs, serving his dish.

  Ayumu: [Burgers. But not any type. Brioche buns, made by hand. Mustard spread on the bottom, followed by a thick patty. A layer of rich, creamy Dutch Gouda and sweet, amazing caramelized onions. Made by yours truly.]

  Jenneah whistles in appreciation as she immediately reaches out for one. Kanna seems proud.

  Jenneah: [This looks amazing! Well done, Ayumu.]

  Kanna: [Yeah. Well done.]

  She smiles, though her face soon turns irritated as Ayumu scoffs.

  Ayumu: [Of course it's amazing. I did it, after all.]

  [What do you think of it, Hinozu?]

  [It's good. Both dishes.]

  A comfortable silence falls over the table as all four eat plenty. Upon finishing, Hinozu stands up, striding towards the kitchen before thoroughly rinsing his plate.

  The warm water numbs his hands slightly, and he catches himself washing them a little longer than usual.

  His hands brush on the railing as he goes upstairs, entering his room.

  The soft mattress sinks under his weight, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

  A soft knock.

  Ayumu steps inside, sitting at the desk before grabbing a copious amount of paper.

  Hinozu: [Still writing the thesis?]

  Ayumu: [It's done, actually! I've just finished earlier today.]

  [I see. Congrats.]

  [Hinozu.]

  Ayumu's gaze meets his.

  [What?]

  [What's gotten into you?]

  The question startles Hinozu, brows shooting up in surprise.

  Hinozu: [What do you mean?]

  Ayumu fidgets with his pen with a pensive expression.

  [You seem quieter than usual. I mean, you used to make jokes here and there, but... Now, it feels like you're avoiding us.]

  [You're imagining things.]

  [Am I?]

  His voice rises slightly, almost unnoticeably.

  [You don't even reply properly. I know, we're just 10 months away from the Assessment, and you're focused on training. I get it. But you don't have to cut off everything else, you know.]

  Hinozu clicks his tongue, adjusting his pillow.

  [Stop acting as if you're my mother. It's nothing.]

  Ayumu sighs.

  [Better be nothing, then.]

  Ayumu: [I actually wanted to ask you something.]

  Hinozu: [Tell me.]

  [I actually wanted to train with you.]

  Hinozu's heart skips a beat.

  [...Why now, all of a sudden?]

  Ayumu scratches the back of his head, chuckling.

  Ayumu: [Well... It's just 10 months from the Assessment.]

  His face turns serious.

  [I may be able to write full theses, but I still need to be physically capable.]

  Hinozu shifts in bed. Several times.

  [Yeah... why not? I'd be glad to help.]

  Ayumu: [Thank you!]

  Hinozu: [No problem. I'll wake you up early tomorrow, so it's best if we sleep.]

  Ayumu: [Alright! Good night, Hinozu.]

  He jumps on his bed from the desk. Hinozu sighs.

  Hinozu: [Good night.]

  Darkness envelops the room as Ayumu flicks the light switch off.

  Ayumu: [Do you remember when I told you I wanted to join the IEM too?]

  Hinozu: [Yeah.]

  [It's finally going to become real.]

  [Think about it, Hinozu.]

  [We pass the Assessment, and we're going to be recruits. We're going to be part of the IEM.]

  A smile spreads through Hinozu's lips.

  Hinozu: [I'm going to make it.]

  Ayumu: [Yeah. Me too.]

  They both close their eyes, sleeping peacefully in a matter of minutes.

  ——

  Hinozu's eyes snap open as someone shakes him.

  [Wake up!]

  A whisper. A tired yawn

  [I said... I'd wake you up... Not you to wake me up.]

  [Doesn't matter, we're both awake now. Let's go!]

  Hinozu gets off the bed, feet dragging on the floor as he makes way into the bathroom.

  [Do you want to go first?]

  Ayumu: [No need. I already did.]

  [Oh.]

  Ayumu sits on his bed, waiting for Hinozu to return from showering.

  15 minutes.

  Hinozu steps outside the bathroom, heading out of the room.

  Hinozu: [Follow me.]

  They step down the stairs, putting on their shoes before exiting.

  Hinozu starts to stretch, Ayumu following his movements clumsily.

  Ayumu: [Is it always this cold?]

  [Yeah.]

  Hinozu: [Follow me. Try to keep my pace.]

  Soles scrape pavement as they begin trotting.

  After 8 minutes, Ayumu's pace slows down considerably.

  Hinozu: [Come on, keep up. 2 more minutes before we rest.]

  Ayumu: [Oh, thank god...]

  Just as his breathing turns to wheezes, Hinozu halts before throwing some rapid punches in the air.

  Hinozu: [Don't stay still. Do some jumping jacks or whatever.]

  Ayumu: [W-why?]

  He says, jumping around.

  Hinozu: [You can't just stop when resting, otherwise it'll be harder to run after.]

  [Come on, let's go.]

  Hinozu quickens his pace.

  Hinozu: [Try to catch up. If you can't, just stay behind, you'll know I'm straight ahead.]

  Ayumu: [No way! I'm going to run as fast.]

  The determination doesn't last long as he falls behind, straining breaths stuck in his chest.

  He takes a moment to rest, punching the air in a clumsy imitation of Hinozu. After a while, he starts jogging again, though his pace has slowed considerably.

  With a final step, hand on his knees, he takes a moment to rest fully before walking straight.

  Ayumu: [This... Is hell...]

  Beads of sweat roll down his forearm as his shirt clings to his skin. Spotting Hinozu in the distance, he resumes running as he arduously approaches him.

  Ayumu: [Come on, Ayumu! You can do it!]

  Hinozu: [You look like you're running in slow-mo.]

  Ayumu stops next to him, nearly falling as he stumbles.

  Ayumu: [I made it...]

  Hinozu: [There's an uphill route from here.]

  Ayumu: [No way I'm doing that...]

  [Didn't you want to improve?]

  [Of course, but it seems like... a bit too much for me, right now. Let's come back tomorrow!]

  A flicker of disapproval courses over Hinozu's face.

  Though a small, unnoticeable smile appears.

  Hinozu: [Alright, we're going to head back home.]

  Ayumu: [Yes! I mean... Sure, it seems to be enough for today.]

  They begin striding towards the Center, taking in the surroundings.

  Ayumu: [Look, Hinozu! I can see the sunrise!]

  He beams, nudging Hinozu's shoulder. The cool air turns warm as sunlight bathes everything in orange.

  Hinozu: [Yeah... And?]

  Ayumu: [It's beautiful!]

  Hinozu: [There's a sunrise every day. Nothing special.]

  Ayumu sighs, quickening his pace before walking next to Hinozu.

  Soon, they arrive at the Center, opening the door to the entrance.

  Hinozu: [We still have some work to do. Go to the library after showering, I'll come after.]

  Ayumu: [Sure.]

  Ayumu takes the steps slowly, legs hurting as they barely function.

  [I hope this goes away tomorrow...]

  Hinozu: [Hurry up.]

  Ayumu: [Yeah, coming.]

  Stepping inside the room, Ayumu immediately goes into the bathroom to shower.

  He takes his shirt off, seeing his reflection in the mirror.

  Ayumu: [It's... Hard. Straining.]

  Determination courses through his veins.

  [I like it. I love it.]

  He steps into the shower, cold tiles unpleasant to his feet. He sighs in relief as warm water pours down.

  [Finally...]

  He smiles warmly.

  After showering, Ayumu dresses himself and exits the bathroom.

  Ayumu: [You can go now, Hinozu.]

  Hinozu stands up, heading inside.

  Ayumu makes way to the library, knocking on the walls as he strolls.

  [He's amazing... Doing this every day.]

  [Even if it's this hard.]

  Walking through the corridor, he spots Kanna entering Jenneah's office, though he doesn't pay any mind as he enters the library, sitting down on the couch.

  [I still can't believe it.]

  [I'll be an Exterminator.]