Layena hadn’t expected anyone to welcome her to her new place. Not even Ethan.

Yet there he was, standing amidst all the effort he had poured into making her arrival at her new residence feel special.

"Before you think I intruded, I was ordered to help move in the furniture this morning," Ethan said hurriedly. "So when I got here, I figured doing a little extra here and there wouldn’t hurt." He smiled, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his eyes.

Layena usually disliked noise and celebration when they revolved around her, but dismissing or reprimanding him after all the effort he had gone through felt unnecessarily cruel.

"Thank you," she said. "But why did they send you of all people? Especially when you were injured."

Layena had heard from Hannah that Ethan had faced a ghoul the previous night. Regardless of the outcome, one could expect a Second Grade Nightwalker to come away at least somewhat battered after fighting a high-ranking monster.

Yet as she looked at his cheerful expression, she couldn’t find the slightest trace of the battle he had fought.

"Ah, I heal quickly... and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t request this assignment," Ethan admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "Please don’t be upset. I just wanted to help in whatever way I could."

Layena shook her head.

"I’m not upset. Just don’t push yourself too hard."

Ethan’s lips curved into a childlike smile before he turned to the other two.

"Amanda... Kyle."

He greeted them with such casual familiarity that it caught both of them off guard.

Kyle couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different about him today. Was it because Layena had finally been discharged? Or perhaps it was the excitement of being promoted to First Grade after defeating a ghoul?

It could be both. Or maybe something else entirely.

"Alright, let’s head inside. I’ve prepared some drinks for everyone, and again, sorry for using your kitchen without permission." Ethan apologized, looking genuinely guilty for overstepping, despite having already explained why he had done it.

Layena didn’t seem to mind. Remaining silent, she followed him inside, and the four of them entered the house.

Click.

It was a pleasant place, with a spacious living area that immediately drew the eye. A couch sat opposite the entrance, accompanied by an elegant center table upon which rested a vase filled with fresh flowers.

Even at a glance, the rug beneath looked wonderfully soft. The painting hanging behind the couch was particularly soothing, its colors blending gently into the room’s atmosphere.

Warm light spilled from the ceiling, bathing the space in a calm, welcoming glow as they walked farther in.

Ethan disappeared briefly before returning with two chairs.

"Sit on the chair, Layena," he urged. "You need to keep your torso straight for the time being."

Layena blinked in surprise. She had heard something remarkably similar from a nurse just yesterday.

Ah, Ethan had been there at the time.

Still, it was strange that the patient herself had forgotten the advice while someone else remembered it so clearly.

Following his suggestion, Layena took a seat on one of the chairs. Kyle settled onto the couch across from her, with Amanda sitting beside him.

"I’ll go bring the drinks," Ethan said before walking away.

Kyle quietly watched his retreating figure, a faint frown forming on his face.

’What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?’

....

Ethan walked toward the kitchen. However, the moment he moved out of everyone’s sight, he abruptly changed direction and hurried into the bathroom instead.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Locking it, he clamped both hands over his mouth, suppressing the violent urge to gag as bile rose into his throat.

His eyes widened.

A faint violet hue spread around them, creeping beneath his skin as tremors ran through his entire body.

Disgust.

Pure, overwhelming disgust.

The sensation had begun the closer he got to Kyle.

It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to draw his weapon and behead the bastard the instant he laid eyes on him.

As if that infuriating face wasn’t bad enough, now even Kyle’s mere presence made it difficult for him to breathe.

’What is happening to me?’

Ethan frowned.

No matter how much he disliked that oaf, he knew this wasn’t normal.

Hatred was one thing.

This was something else entirely.

A primal revulsion.

A chilling instinct that screamed at him to stay away.

And then, at last, the reason revealed itself.

’Beware of that entity.’

A voice echoed through his mind.

The same voice he had heard the previous night before slaughtering the ghoul that had appeared before him.

’He is dangerous. Someone capable of uncovering our secrets. You must avoid him.’

The feminine voice of the unseen being resonated within his head once more.

For a brief moment, the trembling in Ethan’s body ceased.

His expression darkened.

"Our secrets...?" he muttered under his breath.

’Yes... this special bond we’ve formed exists for the benefit of both of us. We cannot allow anyone to even glimpse it. So be very careful from now on.’

Ethan’s fists tightened.

"That’s impossible."

His voice came out low and sharp.

"He is the very reason I no longer wish to remain as I am. Every ounce of strength I’ve gained, every sacrifice I’ve made, has been for the sake of destroying that one existence."

And now he was being told to keep his distance?

Impossible.

The thought alone made his jaw clench.

Yet, without Ethan realizing it, the violet veins crawling beneath his skin gradually began to fade. The violent revulsion that had threatened to overwhelm him moments ago eased little by little, allowing him to finally draw a steady breath.

Then the voice spoke again.

’If you truly intend to slaughter that existence, then strike only when you are certain the job can be finished.’

The feminine voice echoed through his mind once more.

This time, however, it did not oppose his intentions.

Nor did it urge restraint.

Instead, it sounded almost... approving.

’An enemy capable of uncovering our secrets is not one you can afford to underestimate.’

Ethan lowered his gaze.

The bathroom fell silent.

A faint smile slowly formed on his lips.

"That," he murmured, "is something I already know."

Kyle had survived this long for a reason.

When the day finally came, Ethan intended to make sure there would never be a second chance.

....

Once Ethan returned carrying a tray of juice and snacks, he set it down on the table before saying,

"Ah, by the way, Layena. I’ve set the door’s security code to one-two-three-four. You can change it whenever you’d like."

Layena nodded and accepted the glass of juice he offered her.

Kyle and Amanda, however, suddenly rose from their seats.

"We’ll be leaving now."

Ethan blinked, his eyes widening in surprise.

"So soon? Am I bothering you two? If I am, then I’ll leave instead. You can stay with Layena."

Amanda nearly clicked her tongue in frustration.

The way he was acting today felt so unlike him that it was beginning to irritate her. Still, she managed to keep her composure.

"We have some work to take care of," she said. "It has nothing to do with you."

As she spoke, she turned toward Layena.

"See you around. And call me if you need anything."

Layena nodded slowly.

A small trace of disappointment surfaced within her.

She had hoped to spend a little more time with Kyle.

Still, with other people around and circumstances being what they were, she felt it was better to be patient. There would be other opportunities.

At least, that was what she told herself as she watched the two of them head toward the door.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please leave a review or comment.