"Wait, did I say that out loud again?!"
He slapped his mouth shut and looked at Changing Star in horror.
'Goddamit! Who knew that a habit of talking to myself would be so detrimental to keeping my dignity intact?!'
On the ground next to him, the shadow was having a swell time basking in his anguish. It was shaking its head and dying laughing.
Several seconds later, Sunny was finally able to speak again:
"Uh, yeah. Shopping. I have some soul shards to spare, so I wanted to buy a Memory. Or few."
Nephis looked at him for a while, then said:
"I see."
Then, she turned away and asked, her voice calm and even, as always:
"Do you want to go somewhere and talk?"
Sunny's heart skipped a bit. He gritted his teeth.
"Sorry. No can do. I'm… uh… waiting for someone."
Changing Star lingered for a few moments, then asked:
"You're hiding in that alley because you're… waiting for someone? Who are you waiting for, Sunny?"
He waved a hand.
"Oh, you know. A friend. Well… more like an associate, really. An acquaintance?"
Neph remained silent for a few moments, then said in an even tone:
"You can just say no. No need to invent some…"
But right at that moment, an enchanting voice came from the entrance of the alley:
"Sunny? Hey, are you here?"
Turning around, Sunny saw a beautiful young man with gorgeous auburn hair and mesmerizing green eyes enter the alley. He was wearing an armor made out of burnished brown leather and blue silk clothes beneath, all of which fit him perfectly. On his face, there was a bright smile.
It was Kai… Night… whatever his name was!
Sunny exhaled with relief.
"What do you mean, "invent"?! See, he's right…"
However, the words died on his lips. Because, when he turned to Changing Star, he saw something that he had never seen before.
Looking at the young man whom he had set free from the bottomless dark well, Nephis took a step back. Her face was pale, and her eyes were wide and glassy.
She seemed to be consumed by absolute, utter horror…