“As always, you are forgiven, my love.”“Who are they?”With an elegant wave, Nathan introduced them, “This is a loser who role-plays as the dead Cassius Blackwood, and she is the love of his life, Elaine Fyre.”Haze wanted to protest, but he held himself back. From the statement alone, he concluded that Nathan had yet to know his real identity. At least, his cover wasn’t entirely blown.Directing his attention to the babbling newcomer, Haze tried to seize her.She was a woman who looked a little older and way shorter than Elaine, wearing a brown sweater vest and dark red long skirt. The eyeglasses and birthmark on her right cheek didn’t lessen her beauty, he had to admit it. Just not in front of his brunette assistant.She might be Nathan’s girlfriend, but the worn satchel and nerdy vibe she gave off made Haze doubt it.Noticing his prolonged look, Nathan stepped up to shiel

“Get away from me!”They all looked at the tall and lanky man named Kain Randall. He trashed his own father’s grip, shoving the older man aside and proceeded to cower in the corner. He was shaking, as if he saw a ghost that haunted him, or a demon who wanted to bring him to hell.“You’re not real!” Kain shouted, “You’re not real!”Even so, he still cowered like the coward that he was. For all they know, he might have already pissed his pants like a boy waking from a nightmare.“Cease your nonsense right now, Kain! You are embarrassing me!” Mr. Randall exclaimed, sending a fearful look towards Leonard. “Stop it right this instant!”“Please tell me he’s not real! I beg you!” Kain dropped to his knees, hands pulling the hair on his head as he looked in horror, “Please! Please! Please!”Mr. Randall raised his hand, about to give his insane

Back to the hill house, Haze never knew a training room was in the back.It dawned on him that he never explored the place, only going to his bedroom, study, dining room, and the living room they had to pass to get out. He went to the kitchen once, but Elaine vehemently pushed him out of there, saying Cassius would never do that.So, like the utterly clueless boy that he was, he trailed his eyes around the white and brown-themed room. The floor was entirely wooden, polished until it reflected the lights overhead. There were many martial arts-related objects, such as several mats, sandbags, boxing gloves, and maybe more, behind the door, Elaine just came from."Wear it," she threw protective body gears, consisting of a padded vest to guard his stomach and chest and a padded helmet for his head. "As much as I want to, I can't just punch you and risk injury. What would Mr. Blackwood say if he found you in the hospital, losing your memory.""Yeah, I imagine i

“I miss Cassius…”Elaine heard it loud and clear. The words coming out of Haze’s mouth, no mistaking it for a mere dream or hallucination. She knew it was real, because not even Haze could hide it nor make it up when he was deep in his subconsciousness.It was the truth.Even as Haze sobbed through it, she was far too shocked to notice.How?How could someone so unrelated and unknown before any of this knew Cassius – and even missed him, in the first place?What did she miss?She might appear indifferent against a man who was sobbing, crying without awareness, but she couldn’t waste this chance for that. So, like a loyal and calculating assistant that she was, a question followed, “Did you know Cassius before the night of his death?”Somehow, the sobs dispersed and Haze was clear in his reply, “Yes.”“How?”“…what a strange quest

Sitting in Wilbert Muller’s living room, Haze scrutinized the red-haired man sitting nervously in front of him. On the couch beside him, Maxine cleared her throat as she crossed her legs and leaned back. It was enough to make Muller sweat bullets. “S-s-so what do you want to know, Mr. Blackwood?”Haze suspected there must be a dark history involving the three of them before this. “Your enemies.”Muller paled hearing his answer, “I-I’m so-sorry?”“I need to know who your enemy is. People who have a grudge against you, or anyone who has a slight dislike towards you. Write me their names.”Muller gulped, writing off the names Haze didn’t recognize. With his trembling hands, the writing was sure to be shaky, but thankfully still readable. He glanced at Haze, hesitating a bit before his panic took over and he slid the paper forward. “Did you want to write my name on it?”Muller squeaked, shaking his head vehemently. “N-no, sir.”Sighing, Haze leaned forward with a serious face. “You look