Chương 153: Chapter 152 - Pangea (XXXI)

Stupid, perverted, dick-brained, shameless, idiotic, arrogant, selfish asshole! How could he be so… so stupid? Appearing out of nowhere with no shame, no apologies, and then complaining that it's his place? Fuck his place! He could drown in that shitty pool for all she cared. Damn it, she hadn't hit him hard enough. She should've punched him again. And again. AHHH! Why? Why was he like this?

"Stupid," she muttered under her breath, her tone low, her eyes red, tears streaming down her face as she dashed away, desperate to put as much distance between them as possible. And why the hell was she running? She should've kicked his face in for good measure. Did he think she was stupid? Did he think she hadn't figured out the real reason he disappeared and spewed those asshole words that day? Did he think she was weak? Weak was his fucking guts! She didn't give a damn about what the others said or did.

She didn't need all that bullshit about him being an asshole to keep her safe. Just be a fucking man! You want something? Take it. Be strong enough to stand your ground and protect what matters without giving a fuck about what anyone else thinks. She shook her head, her pace quickening. How the hell had she fallen for such a pathetic, dead-brained pervert whose only redeeming skill was swinging a sword well?

The sun was dipping lower in the horizon, painting the sky in fiery shades of red and orange, but Ayu barely noticed as she ran. Her legs moved with fury-fueled energy, each step pounding against the ground like an exclamation mark to her string of curses.

"Fucking bastard! Dead-brained asshole! Just—gah!" she growled, lifting her mask and wiping her face with her forearm, though it didn't stop the tears from streaming. The salty sting only fueled her frustration. Why the hell was she even crying? The soft hum of waves in her mind made her stumble slightly, her pace faltering. She clenched her fists, her body still moving forward as an image formed. Her. Stopping. Her teeth ground together. Him. Of course it was him.

"Not a chance," she hissed under her breath. Her legs pumped harder, her pace breaking into a sprint. She wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. Not now, not ever. She refused to look back. Suddenly, she leaped instinctively into the air, her body reacting before her mind registered the threat. A slimy tentacle lashed out from the water, striking where she'd been just a moment before.

"Fuck you too!" she spat, landing with fluid precision and resuming her sprint without sparing the octopus another glance. But as she turned a corner behind a small hill, she suddenly skidded to a stop. He was standing right in front of her. Alonso. His mask was gone, exposing his face. Those eyes… sharp, unyielding, and locked entirely on her. Her breath hitched as she bit her lip, suddenly unsure of what to do. Why was he looking at her like that? He took a deep breath and raised his arm forward.

She blinked, her focus snapping to the object in his hand— a sword. Her sword? She frowned, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She wanted to scream at him, curse him out until her voice gave out, but— He moved. In one fluid motion, he was standing right in front of her. Too close. Her mind raced, her heart pounded, her legs refused to move. What the hell was he doing? He placed her sword in her hand, his grip firm as he guided her fingers around the hilt.

Her own fingers barely managed to close around it, her body refusing to cooperate as his eyes bore into hers. Her heart felt like it was going to explode. Blood rushed to her face, heat flooding her cheeks. She wanted to hit him. To yell. To kick. To do anything to break this spell, but… she couldn't. Her jaw slackened, her breathing shallow and quick. He took another step forward. What the hell was he doing so close? Then his hand moved—slowly, deliberately. She couldn't look away. Her body wouldn't respond.

Her entire world narrowed to the motion of his hand reaching for— Her mask? He grasped it gently, his touch deliberate yet impossibly tender. Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.

"Don't," she whispered, barely audible, her voice trembling. But he didn't stop. Her mask shifted as he began to lift it. Her breath hitched. Every instinct told her to stop him, but her hand refused to move. Her face was bare now, exposed. Vulnerable. She felt naked all over again. She wanted to scream at him, to slap the mask back into place, but his eyes—they kept her rooted, frozen, as if he'd stripped her down to the rawest, most fragile part of herself.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Why wasn't he saying anything? Why didn't he look smug, or arrogant, or stupid like he always did? Why was he just… looking at her like that? The air felt heavier, thicker. She could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears, faster and louder with every passing second. Her breath quickened, her chest rising and falling as she stared back at him. And then he moved. Slowly, deliberately, his face leaned closer.

Her lips parted instinctively, her breathing shallow, uneven. Wait. Was he…? Her mind raced, confusion colliding with something deeper, something she didn't want to name. She felt the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin—soft, tantalizing, drawing her in. Her body didn't move—she didn't want to move. Her eyes darted to his lips. No. No, no, no. Stop it, Ayu. But her body betrayed her, leaning just slightly forward, her lips trembling as they parted further, caught in the gravity of the moment.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't— And then, just as their breaths mingled and her lips could feel the faintest ghost of his presence, something snapped. No. She stepped back abruptly, her heart slamming against her ribcage like a drum. Her hand shot up, snatching the mask from his grip, and she pulled it over her face in one quick, jerky motion. Her eyes darted to his for a fleeting second before she looked away, her cheeks burning hotter than the molten blood of the lizards she'd fought.

She turned sharply, almost tripping over her own feet as she stumbled away.

"Idiot," she muttered under her breath, unsure if the word was meant for him or herself. Her legs carried her forward, faster and faster, her mind a chaotic mess of emotions. She didn't look back, clutching her mask tightly against her face as if afraid it might slip away. But as she ran, with the minutes stretching on, her expression began to shift. She didn't know why, but… A smile refused to leave her face. I stand there like an idiot, staring at the spot where Ayu had been just seconds ago.

My hand drops to my side, the warmth of her mask still lingering on my fingertips. What the hell was I thinking? I run a hand through my hair and let out a frustrated groan. Damn it, Alonso. I almost slap myself. Almost. Because yeah, I was too aggressive, too rushed, too… stupid. I messed up. Big time. But then… A chuckle slips out. Before I can stop it, I'm grinning like a fool. I can't help it. My face flushes, and I rub the back of my neck, staring at the setting sun. She didn't punch me. Not after that.

And that look on her face… Damn, I'll be dreaming of that almost-kiss for a while. But it wasn't just the kiss, was it? It wasn't just some fleeting moment of heat. No, it was something deeper, something that settled in my chest the moment her eyes locked with mine. There's a chance. I know I've got a lot to make up for. All the shit I've said and done. And sure, maybe I don't deserve Ayu. Not yet. But I feel it. I really like her. I really want her. And, for a moment, I'm sure of something else, too.

Ayu likes me too. I start walking back to the cave, and I swear the world looks… different. Better. The colors feel brighter, more vivid, like someone turned up the saturation on life itself. The air feels cleaner, crisper. The leaves rustle in the breeze, a sound I've heard a thousand times, but now? It's music. Even the ground beneath my boots feels softer, like it's carrying me instead of the other way around. I'm grinning like a complete idiot, and I don't even care. Hell, I'm practically skipping.

The weight in my chest that's been there for weeks, months even, feels lighter. The whole world feels lighter. Everything around me seems so… alive. The setting sun paints the sky in brilliant streaks of gold and orange, and the light filters through the trees in soft, glowing beams. For once, the endless grind of survival feels like it can wait. Just for a moment. Just for this. I reach the cave entrance and stop. The grin on my face stretches wider. My heart's still racing, my blood still warm.

For some reason, I push Overdrive. Not a lot, just enough to sharpen my senses. The world snaps into focus. Every sound, every shift in the air, every scent. And then I catch it. Faint, lingering, but unmistakable. Her scent. Warm, soft, and carrying that hint of spring water. It clings to the entrance, like she's still here, just out of sight. My grin softens into something closer to… awe. Shaking my head, I step forward, picking up my battered backpack and the broken mask.

My fingers brush against the jagged edges, but I barely feel it. I'm too caught up in the moment, too lost in the strange, wonderful chaos in my chest. I walk into the cave, the familiar warmth of the hot spring wrapping around me like a welcome home. It feels… right. Like the world has tilted just enough to line things up perfectly for once. And damn, I've got a lot of work to do. But for now? For now, I let myself enjoy this. I sit down, my back against the wall, my gaze fixed on the horizon.

My body aches from the day's exercises, and my nose is still regenerating from that punch, but… I feel good. Too good. I glance at the warm pool, its inviting steam curling into the air. But stepping in? No. Not now. She was there moments ago, and… it doesn't feel right. Perhaps next time… we can enjoy it together? The thought sneaks in uninvited, and I suddenly feel the familiar warmth of blood trailing down my nose. Hasn't this healed already? I laugh, the sound echoing softly in the cave. Alright, take it easy.

If I keep thinking about her, next time I won't be able to hold myself back. Show some respect first. Yes… but then the image of her lips—so close—and her naked figure flashes through my mind again. Damn it! I knock the back of my head against the wall, groaning. Come on, man. Focus! I pull out a water container and take a long drink, my mind already shifting to Houston's programme for the night. The list of recovery tasks begins to scroll through my thoughts, a welcome distraction— Until I see it.

I spit out the water still in my mouth, spraying it across the cave floor. Night Session (Recovery): Stretching Routine – Using EM waves to identify and relax strained muscles. Breathing Exercises – Controlled deep breathing to optimize oxygen flow and calm the nervous system. Wave Sync Practice – Gentle alignment of EM waves to improve body-mind integration. Little Brother Suppression Techniques – Advanced mental exercises to maintain focus during key moments and avoid unintentional standing ovations.

Cave Defense Strategies – Tactical simulations for avoiding eviction from your own home. Includes role-playing scenarios like "Diplomatic Cave Etiquette" and "Sharing for Beginners." Imaginary Cold Showers – A visualization exercise designed to distract the mind with freezing waterfalls to counter hot memories. Mask Recovery Drills – A targeted program for mask maintenance during high-stakes social situations. Includes practical tips for dodging airborne gauntlets and avoiding further 'face reveals.'

Perceptive Control Drills – Reining in enhanced senses during moments of extreme distraction. Ideal for avoiding sensory overload when faced with unforgettable imagery. Proper Housemate Etiquette – Training on when to knock, when to retreat, and when to not rush into your own cave unannounced.

"This motherfucker," I laugh.