Erica's mind raced as she stood in the crowded hall, the weight of Airenne's mother's speech still hanging over her like a storm cloud. The words about the "human intruder" echoed in her ears, and every glance from the crowd felt like an accusation. She could no longer stay here—the image of the bear woman from the Hall of Fame flashed in her thoughts, a terrifying reminder of the dangers lurking in this world. And Airenne's scream earlier, announcing her as "that human," replayed endlessly, making her fear that at any moment, the room would turn on her. She needed to get out, to escape back to her room where she could hide and think. She had a plan now, simple but effective, and it was time to execute it.
Her eyes locked on a server weaving through the crowd, carrying a tray loaded with drinks and small plates of food. Erica had been tracking the server's movements for the last few minutes, noting the path she took between groups. Timing it just right, Erica jumped into the server's way, making it look like an accident. The collision was sharp—the tray tipped, and glasses tumbled, spilling sticky drinks and food all over Erica's gown. The cold liquid soaked through the fabric, staining the black material with dark splotches, bits of food clinging to her sleeves and skirt.
The server gasped, her face paling. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you—let me help—"
Erica acted offended, brushing off the server's frantic apologies with a wave of her hand. Nearby people turned to stare, some murmuring apologies or offering napkins, but Erica ignored them all. She kept her head down, focusing on wiping at the stains as if they were the only thing that mattered, using the mess as her cover. The crowd's attention shifted quickly—after all, it was just a spill in a busy party—and she slipped through the groups without making eye contact, weaving her way toward the exit. Her heart pounded with every step, her mind screaming that someone might stop her, but she pushed forward, the door growing closer like a lifeline.
Finally, she burst out into the cool night air, the sounds of the party muffled behind her. She didn't stop until she reached a nearby bench, half-hidden in the shadows of the driveway. Collapsing onto it, she breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling as the adrenaline faded. The loneliness hit her like a wave, crashing over her without mercy. Inside, everyone was surrounded by family—parents hugging their children, sharing laughs and stories, creating memories in a world of wealth and power. But she was alone, cut off from her own family, her adopted parents and sick brother Brian miles away in the Realm of Men. The image of them struggling in poverty while she was here, trapped in this dangerous game, twisted her gut. She closed her eyes, breathing in and out slowly, forcing herself to stabilize. Inhale... exhale... until her racing heart slowed, and she could think clearly again.
Just as she stood up, ready to head back to her room, Airenne and her mother emerged from the hall. It was clear Airenne had been chasing after her mother, her steps hurried. Erica ducked behind a parked car nearby, peeking out to watch without being seen.
Airenne caught up, stopping her mother with a gentle touch on the arm. "Mom... how did I do?" she asked, her voice bright with a big smile, eager for approval.
Airenne's mother paused, her blue hair catching the light from the hall's entrance. In her mind, she recalled the letter she had sent with the gown—the instructions to maintain a perfect facial expression throughout the party, ending with "don't fail me as usual." She sighed inwardly, already tired of Airenne's constant need for validation. Her thoughts drifted further: She remembered how Airenne had once promised she would fall in love, keep it a secret like any normal academy romance, and still grow stronger than anyone else. At the time, the mother hadn't understood the point of it all, but she had let Airenne do as she pleased, hoping it would pass.
"I didn't give you that assignment, so I won't grade it," her mother said finally, her tone flat and distant. "Airenne... it's time you stop this foolishness. This game. What do you want? Why are you doing this?"
Airenne's smile faded, but she quickly forced it back, her voice trembling just a little. "Nothing, Mom. I just wanted to make you proud. To be someone you can count on. To..."
Her mother cut her off, her expression hardening. "Airenne, I understand, but you need to stop. I don't need you. I did my part as a mother so you wouldn't say I don't love you. But you are useless to me. Airenne... just keep living your life. I have your sister already. If only I had known what you would become, I would never have had a second child."
Airenne's voice grew heavy, her words cracking with emotion. "But... but how? You all keep rejecting me. All I wanted was to make you proud... to be someone wanted."
Her mother's tone softened slightly, almost caring, but the words cut deep. "But you *are* useless. Right now, you have one fault: being useless and a thorn to me. Don't add a second by trying to be accepted when you're clearly... hmmm. Airenne, please don't make me the bad person here."
Her mother looked at her with eyes full of regret, then turned and walked away, leaving Airenne standing alone in the night.
Airenne stayed rooted in place for a moment, her shoulders slumping. Then, with a sudden burst, she bolted away, heading toward the student hostel, her gown trailing behind her like a shadow.
Erica emerged from her hiding spot, her body aching from squatting behind the car for so long. She rubbed her sore legs, processing what she had just overheard. The raw pain in Airenne's voice lingered in her mind, but she pushed it aside for now. She headed back to their room, her steps quick and quiet under the starry sky.
When Erica walked in, she found Airenne curled up on her—Erica's—bed, sobbing quietly. Her makeup was ruined, black streaks running down her cheeks from the tears.
Airenne looked up as Erica entered, wiping her face roughly. "I'm not sorry for staining your bed with makeup," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Erica glanced at the smudged sheets but didn't comment. Instead, she sat down right next to Airenne, close enough to offer silent support.
Airenne continued, her words tumbling out between sniffles. "They just told me I need to be myself and stop being the person everyone would love—because I'm useless, and nobody will ever love a useless person. So, I want to be who I am."
Erica nodded slowly, then shared her own worry, her voice steady but vulnerable. "I hope you are a bad person who will give the Council of Men every reason to think my life is in danger and get me out of here."
Airenne managed a weak laugh through her tears. "Yeah, I saw you after the human announcement. You looked like a ghost, and your eyes were begging me not to say anything. It was so funny."
Erica leaned back against the headboard. "Why didn't you? And this new you—or real you—do you hate humans?"
Airenne thought for a moment, then shrugged. "That, I don't know. Alright, scratch that... I don't hate humans or like them."
Erica let out a small breath. "That's both heartbreaking and comforting at the same time. At least I can hide in this room the moment everyone knows who I am."
Airenne sat up a little straighter. "Yeah, be grateful only the two of us have this room, and I don't hate you. So, in the future, you'll do something for me."
Erica laughed softly, the sound light but not fully from the heart. "I'd be really grateful if you could get the Council of Men to send me out of here."
Airenne joined in the laughter, though hers was equally hollow. "And if I do that... you'll be my friend. And love me for who I am... or whoever I may be. Hope I'm not a spoiled princess type."
They both laughed again, the sound filling the room for a brief moment, easing the tension but not erasing the pain beneath it. A minute passed in quiet, the weight of their words hanging in the air.
Then, the door opened without a knock. A girl walked in—black hair falling straight to her shoulders, purple eyes sharp and observant. She took off her nose mask, revealing a pretty face that was completely void of emotion, like a blank canvas waiting for a stroke.
Erica and Airenne turned their attention to her, sitting up straighter on the bed. Erica recognised her immediately as the girl from the Feran family table.
The girl spoke in a quiet voice, but it carried clearly in the small room. "Hi... my name is Nyra. I'm your roommate..."
She held up a piece of paper—her official assignment—as proof, then walked to one of the empty beds. There were six beds in total, arranged in two rows along the walls. Nyra chose the one farthest from them, setting down her bag filled with her things. She had already changed out of her party clothes into something simple and practical, and she began arranging her belongings quietly, without another word.
Erica and Airenne exchanged glances, still processing what had just happened.
The room, once a space for just the two of them, now felt different—larger, but charged with new uncertainty.