001

"Emiko, can you give me your assignment for the next lecture?"

I turned to my course mate and smiled brightly at him, "Of course."

I noticed someone staring at me from outside the lecture hall while I was handing my book over to him.

I turned to the door and saw a girl standing there waving at me.

She was dressed in black pants and a loose-fitting white shirt.

She smiled, beckoning at me.

"Excuse me." I said to a friend of mine before standing from my seat.

"What's wrong, Iwasaki-san?" I asked, folding my arm.

She stared at me, a knowing smile creeping up her face.

"It's Reo to you, Emiko-Senpai." She called my name softly, raising her hand to my cheek.

My cheeks flushed red immediately, but they immediately faltered when I noticed she only did that because someone was walking past us.

I slapped her hand away from my cheeks before looking away.

"Hello, Iwasaki-san." The person waved.

Reo waved back at her before turning back to me.

"What do you want?"

She didn't say anything for some time, "I'll be leaving for Osaka today."

I bit my lips, still avoiding her gaze.

"Oh? Leave if you want to. Why bother me?" I asked.

"Aunty asked me to bring you back with me." She answered.

"Mom did?" I asked, immediately turning to her.

"Mm-hm."

"Why? I'm not a kid anymore. Why should I return with you?" I asked.

"Aunty misses you. We didn't return last holiday too, so she wants to see you."

I hesitated for a while before nodding, "Or she misses you? Anyway, you'll have to wait till I've packed up."

"No need for that, I already did." She grinned widely.

"Huh?!"

"I already ordered a ride. We'll be leaving after your lectures." She said, then turned and walked away.

Of course, she already knew I'd agree. There was no need to tell me. She had already bought a ticket, so I decided not to ask.

I sighed, walking back into the classroom.

After the days lectures ended, I went back to the house I shared with Reo.

We'd known each other since we were little, so our parents decided to let us live together even after I rejected the idea many times.

"Come on and eat quickly. The ride would get here anytime soon."

"Ugh, let me dress quickly."

I joined her in the dining room after taking my time getting dressed up.

"You're returning home. Is there a need to dress so extravagantly?" She asked, dishing out my meal.

"Stop nagging at me."

She placed my food before me, and I began eating hurriedly.

"Hey, be careful. You might choke." She said.

"What's your deal? One minute you say I should eat quickly, the next you say I shouldn't!" I yelled.

Then I began coughing.

"See?" She handed me a cup of water.

Reo always got on my nerves. She was always acting kind and loving when deep down she was a monster.

...《BEHIND THE MASK》...

A few minutes later, the ride she ordered arrived, and we left for the airport.

"Stick close to me, okay?"

I ignored her. I didn't have the strength to talk anymore. Talking to her always left me disoriented.

We finally got on the plane.

"Are you comfortable there?" She asked.

I ignored her, my eyes fixed on the chair next to me.

Of course, I wasn't comfortable. She knew I liked taking the window chair.

The guy seated next to me smiled and waved discreetly at me.

I blinked, then smiled back at him.

He was a cute guy, I wouldn't mind giving him my number.

"Hey, I'm Tatsuki." He said, leaning a bit closer to the side.

"I'm Emiko."

Just as he was about to ask for my number, Reo grabbed my shoulder.

"It seems you really aren't comfortable there. Why don't you come sit by the window?"

"Let go off me, I don't wanna..." I started, then turned to her.

The lights in her eyes had died out, and she stared at me in furry.

I shuddered, then nodded slowly.

It wasn't the first time she'd looked at me that way. I knew that it would be a bad choice to act stubborn in that situation.

We quickly exchanged seats without saying a word to each other.

"I hate you." I muttered.

Of course, that wouldn't have changed a thing. I didn't turn to her because I knew that she'd look really smug at that moment.

"Do you want a snack?" She asked.

"Go die." I mumbled.

I heard her sigh softly beside me, and then I heard the sound of something being unwrapped.

I felt her hand slip under my cheek as she made me face her.

_Is she still mad?_

The thought of her still being mad terrified me, but I didn't want her to realise I was still scared, so I spoke up.

"What's wrong with...?" I started, but she shoved a chocolate bar into my mouth.

Then she smiled softly, "Don't you like that?"

I stared at her speechless. I felt like a fool for even being scared.

"I said I didn't want any."

She took out some other bars and placed them on my lap.

"You say that, but it looks like you're enjoying it."

I groaned, turning back to the window.

We didn't say anything to each other after that.

Returning to Osaka always reminded me of things I didn't want to remember. The worst times of my life.

Especially the first time I met the monster seated beside me.

I glanced at Reo, who was now listening to music on her earphones.

It felt like a pretty normal meeting at first, but that was when I was still unaware of what was hidden behind her mask.

I shut my eyes tightly, and before I knew it, I was already fast asleep.

When I woke up, I felt a hand softly caressing my face.

I could perceive the faint smell of Reo's perfume. I raised my head and realised I was resting on her shoulder.

She smiled softly, "You're awake already?"

I stared at her, long enough for tears to start rolling down.

"Hm? You're crying again. What's wrong?"

I regret meeting her. I always did, and I always will. But whenever she acted kind to me...

After getting off the aeroplane, we met my father, who waited for us in a cafe around the airport.

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