We're getting to know each other? Right now? "I don't think this is how friendship works."

Keanu snorts. "Who said anything about friendship?"

"If you don't want to be friends..." I shrink away from him uncomfortably but he only moves closer. Why does my head feel so light? And why won't he stay away? Does he not know what breathing space is? "What is this then?"

"I'm just getting to know the irregular, that's all."

"Well there isn't much to know." I try to stand up for myself. In reality, those are the only words that'll leave my mouth right now. His hand on the tree is holding my head in place so I have to look him directly in the eye.

"Oh, is that so?" His position to cage me in slowly changes and I move my torso. I keep moving till my legs aren't being secured by his body anymore.

I take the opportunity to completely get free from him. But I don't look back in time. I fall in the stream with a loud thud. Keanu doesn't make an attempt to help me, instead stands there like a pole and watch me flail my hand around in the stream.

The water isn't that deep so I swim back to the surface soon enough. I try to catch my breath as I cough out the water that entered my mouth and nose. Keanu stiffles a laugh as he watches me shiver from my wet clothes. I'm very sure my clothes are see-through now.

"You should really watch where you're going." He says in a mock tone. What?? Watch where I'm going? He made me fall inside on purpose! Son of a bartender! I'd really like to kick him in the nuts but the gnashing of my teeth makes it difficult for me to think properly right now.

"Fine, fine." Keanu says and I'm surprised. "As long as you stop glaring at me."

"Fine what?" My face beams up even with the freezing temperature and incessant quaking of my body. "You'll answer my questions?"

"No." Then he starts walking. I follow after him immediately. Under his breath, he mutters something about him wishing he kicked me in the stream and not fall inside on my own volition. Bastard!

"What do you mean no?" I yell after him but he doesn't stop walking so I keep strolling after him at a pace my freezing limbs can manage.

He stops at a shed approximately eight cycles after. A wooden structure in the middle of nowhere, in the Forest. Is this where he lives? Did I do the wrong thing by following him here? What if he tries to bury my body and nobody ever finds it? We both know he wouldn't mind doing that. This is bad. Like really bad.

Keanu enters the shed and comes back with a blue awful smelling, mouldy-looking blanket. "I meant I feel bad for watching you fall into the stream so I'll give you this." He stretches it to me. I'm reluctant to grab it at first but as he's about to withdraw his hand, I quickly collect it. "Don't follow me. I'm done talking to you."

"Wait..." But he's far gone. He enters the shed at the same time I fully wrap the blanket around my freezing upper body. The smell from this thing almost makes me choke. I'm tempted to go after him but I know the consequences I could face if I go in there after him. If I overstep, he wouldn't mind killing me. And he clearly said not to follow him. Huh... am I going to listen to him? When do I ever listen to anybody? That's so unlike me.

But I don't want to die.

At least I'm leaving with my head still attached.

My friends - Peyton and Aki specifically will be worried if I don't arrive by daybreak tomorrow. That's in seven hourglass turns. I can't message them on the companion-i-chat in this forest with the non-existent reception. I don't think it would be nice to get eaten by a bear this night either so I trail back to the safe spot I secured earlier.

I set up a tent and sleep underneath the weird-smelling blue blanket. It reeks of musty bread and moulds. I don't know whether to be happy he gave me this hobo blanket or just take my luck as it is. Because of him now, I won't die from the freezing cold so he may as well deserve a thank you. But he won't be getting it out of me anytime soon.

°°°°

In the morning, I'm already up a little before daybreak. I intend to start my journey back to the Village early if I don't want Peyton to turn hysterical. Well, that and also the fact that I want to catch Keanu before he goes hiding in his shed, again. I mean the man must eat something so he has to come out. Or does he not eat? That'll explain why he's always grumpy all the time.

Now, I'm a very observant person. I can easily determine the slightest change in my surroundings. But how I miss Black Hood emerging from the bushes, is unknown to me.

"You're still here?" His voice is full of irritation. His keen grey eyes zoom in on the boots my feet are enclosed in before they settle on my face. "And still alive, fortunately for you." He mutters under his breath, "unfortunately for me."

No shit, sherlock. I'm not stupid or dumb enough to get eaten alive in the forest!

"Save it." He holds his palm out to my face when I try to talk. "I don't have time for this. Whatever you're about to say, I don't want to hear any of it."

My mouth stops hanging wide open when I take into consideration the audacity of this boy. What a big mouthed game character! He's even more salty than me! And trust me, that's saying a lot. "Too bad I didn't ask."

He raises his brow like he dares me to defy him.

And I take up on the offer. "I was going to say-"

"Say what?" He cuts me short then stalks towards me, like a hunter would do his prey. "Go on,"

My mouth twitches a bit and I want to reconsider what I'm about to say, but he's pushed way too many buttons for me to reconsider. "Your flier is down."

"My flier..." I completely avoid looking at him when his gaze goes down there. Idiot! Why did I say that?! Now he'll ask why I've been staring at him long enough to know that. As if that's not the creepiest thing an irregular could do.

"I don't have a flier." He says as if realising a little too late.

I keep the left side of my face glued to the other side of the forest.

His mouth twitches a little before he folds his arms and look at me with - just the most amused look ever. "You," he shakes his head. "No, that's not it." Then he suddenly stares at me, so very deeply that I feel his eyes scrutinising my movements and facial expression, his probing eyes undressing my soul. "What could you so desperately want to know that you'd come looking for me in the forest?"

"I'm searching for-"

"Answers." He deadpans, "But without even knowing if I had them or was willing to give you any. Are you an idiot?"

I clench my fists. Determined, I think is the word he's looking for. "So, what if it makes me an idiot? I won't know if I don't ask. And I know for a fact that you'd know something about me that I don't. You must hate my guts for a reason, right?"

"Some things aren't that easy to explain. Besides," His menacing eyes stare into a distance. I can feel the massive bloodlust emanating from him. His aura becomes deadly all of a sudden. I don't miss the evil glint in his eyes either. "Revisiting the past might make me just remember things I want buried. I don't think that'll benefit you very much, irregular."

Even though he doesn't say it, his words hold hidden messages. If he has to revisit his past and find the things that makes him hate me so much, it might make him hate me more... even to the point of wanting to kill me. I gulp. What should I do? Under present circumstances, it wouldn't be smart to be alone with him as he tells his tale of how very pleasant it would be to get rid of me.

"Wise choice." He says in respond to my silence, then starts to walk towards the exit of the forest. "Last warning: If you follow me this time, the third time won't be your lucky charm." He tilts his head to the side as if considering something, but makes up his mind in a flash. "I'll kill you for real."

He's said that many times, but I've never felt this threatened by him before. Exactly what type of things does he know about me that'd make him want to murder me in cold blood? I absolutely have to know.

But he's far gone. I'd love to chase him down but the fear of losing my life doesn't seem all that thrilling. Three really isn't my lucky number. Maybe four, but never three.

I fall to the ground once I unfreeze from my statue-like position. The tightness of my chest doesn't go away anytime soon. I find myself counting Bears to make me calm down and even out my breathing. Having someone genuinely hate your guts does wonders to your health. Who makes an enemy without even knowing their intentions? Idiots, I'd like to believe, which Black Hood is unsurprisingly one of.

A tear drops from my eye but that's it. I think my tear gland must be tired of having to operate all the time. The tears don't follow as I wipe the one bead that has strayed down to my chin. That's it then I suppose. I must have gotten better at handling hate and animosity. I suddenly don't feel the urge to bawl out my eyes.

All these developments but I can't figure out what the causes are. Oh my! I haven't talked to Serena in a while. I completely forgot! "Hey, are you awake?"

Yes.

"What do you think I should do now?"

I don't understand your question.

"I mean, where do I go from here?"

You came here yourself...

A vein bulges in my head. "You think I don't know that?! I'm confused. Seeking for advice from my NPG... is that so much to ask?"

Well, as for advice, I'd suggest that you stay away from the SSS-RATED.

The last thing I expect to hear and I'm quite interested in hearing what Serena has to offer. "Why?"

He seems to harbor deep hostile emotions towards you.

You don't say! "So?"

It's only logical that you stay away from danger.

"Being logical sometimes isn't always the right option."

In this scenario, I'd like to assume that it is.

I agree. Sadly, the hardest things don't always prove easy to obtain. If I want to know just as much about me as John and the Shop Owner do, then my instincts tell me Black Hood is the place to go. "And I agree, unfortunately I can't do as you've advised my dear NPG."

I'd really like that you reconsider.

Serena's hunches are always correct. She's a damn NPG that has done her fričkin research. I'm just a hot-tempered spoilt brat. Who am I kidding? "I don't think that'll be necessary. I've made up my mind." Have I? Yes, I have.

Okay... I'll be going into power saving mode now. Anything else that disturbs you, young warrior?

"No. Go ahead, thanks."

A trail of zzz's appear on my screen and before I know it, Serena is fast asleep. I walk all the way back to the Motel. I get there in shorter time than I expect to, probably because of my fast movements recently.

Aki and Peyton are by the counter, engaged in a conversation. I wonder what they're taking about that the atmosphere feels so tense.

"Hey."

"Heyyyyy-" Peyton responds out of reflex, she looks so guilty. Like I caught her doing something behind my back. "We were going to come after you if you didn't arrive within the next hourglass turn."

"That won't be necessary." I tell her then make space to sit across them on a free table. Kyle is nowhere to be found. "Have you guys met before?"

Aki replies with a nod. "During the Rock-paper-scissors quest."

I stare at him warily. They've become that close within that time limit?

"Well... we also met during the Dungeon quest. After you saved me, I came here right away to eat and left almost immediately."

Okay, maybe they've met twice. You still can't possibly be that close to someone that fast. "Where's Kyle?"

Peyton's smile falters a little as she picks up a napkin to wipe a glass cup. "He's still brooding over the break up."

Ugh. He needs to get over it fast. "When do you think he'll start functioning properly?"

She looks at me, surprised that I'd ask or say something like that. But she answers anyway, "I don't know, soon I hope."

Damn it! Kyle is too much of a pussywhipped heart-broken teddy bear right now. We can't even manage to go on a proper quest. He better start feeling like himself again soon.

"I'm leaving to my room, we'll talk sometime else."

I shut the door gently then plob onto my bed. I've missed this soft, delicate, lingering scent-filled bed. To think I actually used that hobo hoodie for warmth... ew. I'm going to return it anyways, that's why I stored it in my inventory.

"I'm coming in." A feminine voice states before shutting the door gently behind her. "Hey," I don't reply, instead wait for her to start talking. "What happened to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been acting different ever since you went on that trip." She looks at me accusingly. "Did you get the answers you were searching for?"

"Yes, mostly."

"Is that why you're like this?"

"Maybe."

She folds her arms and glares at me pointedly. "Don't bullshit me with lines like that, if something happened then tell me."

Tell you what? Oh, that my Bloodline - the Horientals are actually important personels in the game? That I'm a glitch and I bring disaster everywhere I go? That... Keanu is the only one that knows what I don't know currently, and he's hell bent on killing me? I mean sure I could tell her all that.

"Fine! Be that way." Peyton storms towards the door, and she reaches for it, just in time to hear my reply.

"I hate him."

She turns around then slowly walks up to me before looking at me, observing me closely. "Hate who?"

"Black Hood."

"Did he say something?" And her fists are clenched. I know she might have a tiny bit of crush on him. But if he messes with me, she wouldn't let it slide that easily.

I smile. "He wants to kill me."

Her eyes are wide open and she blinks twice before processing the information. "What? Why?"

"Because I'm an irregular so he doesn't like me."

"What?-" Her eyes zoom in on me. "So he wants to kill you?"

"I-"

"Did that bastard try anything?" A hand twists the knob and a figure slowly enters, his eyes shift from Peyton to me. Although broody, he seems very willing to fight someone right now. "All you have to do is confirm if he did. I'll kill him myself."

Kyle looks at me as his hands twitch. He really is ready to spill blood. But going up against Keanu would just be suicide. "He mostly threatens to kill me. So far, nothing out of the ordinary."

They look unsatisfied, so I add. "He's not killed me yet, that's good news right?"

"Suggesting to kill you isn't good news either." Peyton sits by my table.

"I'll have to agree," Kyle says absentmindedly. "You have to stop running into that guy."

Oh how? When he just happens to be everywhere I go? Or when he just happens to have the things I'm looking for? "If it was that easy, you think we would be having this conversation?"

"But still.. if he tries to do anything, you can kick him in the nuts and run!"

That's Crazy Peyton talking. "Trust me, I tried to, it didn't work."

"You can slap him, punch him, any self defense you can think of."

It won't be enough to KO him, or even inflict some sort of injury on him. "Even though I already failed once, that's actually not a bad idea."

"That's the spirit!" She cheers. "You can even hurt him with any weapon and use a potion to escape after that!" I can't wield any weapon except... the nunchuks!

He was super scared of me when I swung that thing around! Oh he's going down! "Yeah! I got this! I'll be kicking his ass the next time I see him!"

Kyle shakes his head and tries to hide the little smile forming on his lips. It's not successful though. He's already grinning ear to ear.

I dash out of the Motel, leaving Aki's numerous questions hanging in the air. Right now, I'm too hyped to calm down and reason properly.

I've been overshadowed by that Black Hood for too long! And I'm not going to look for him right now! Not at all! Anything besides that! If I just happen to run into him in the Village Square, that I'm definitely not going in to draw his attention, then so be it! I'll be giving him a piece of my mind anyway!

I think I'm going the right way. As I said, I can't reason properly because of the adrenaline rush. There's a dark, gloomy corner before reaching the Village Square that I reconsider passing through, but the thought of the words I could be spitting at Black Hood instead has me pumped up. What a piece of inconsiderable, annoying, cocky-

Two warm hands drag my wrists and pin me against the wall. I don't even need to see him, from the smell I can tell it's Black Hood. I can only see his eyes in this darkness, his serene grey eyes watch me nonchalantly. Like he doesn't care about what I was up to before he stopped me.

Awesome! I was absolutely not going to find him, and he made my work easier by coming to me! Now all I have to do is wait for the heaviness of my mouth to fade away. Or for my frozen limbs to start moving again.

Okay this is embarrassing. I got hyped up, practised insults in my mind, only to freeze up like a deer in headlight when I see him. I would definitely be on a roll if only he wasn't looking at me! The damn devil!

To make matters worse, I let out a strangled "Hey,"

It must really suck to be me right now.

"Let's be partners." His usual calm, rigid voice demands. It's always demands with him, I notice. He never politely asks. That brings me back to what he just said... he wants to be partners with - me?????

No! I mean What??

I'm left with my usual speechlessness whenever his opens his mouth to say anything. I mean who wouldn't... this boy springs up surprises faster than I can blink. "No."

His eyebrows raise, almost hitting the top of his forehead. He must not have been thinking I would say that! Haha! Jokes on him. Who's got the upperhand here?

"It seems you misunderstand," He tightens his grip on my wrists. "I wasn't asking, I was telling you."

A/N
There's enough interaction between our Irregular and Black Hood, what d'yall say? 🤩🤩