Inside a stone building located in an unknown place.
There, two figures, a man and a woman, can be seen.
The former Student Council President, Diggerus, and the current Student Council President, Alkiné.
They didn’t seem like close friends at all.
After all, one of them was trapped in a giant birdcage, and unless they were into some kinky play, the word “close” just didn’t fit the scene.
In reality, they weren’t that close either.
To be precise, they had known each other for a long time, but their relationship was… off.
One side had a clingy kind of love, while the other had a more straightforward, platonic camaraderie.
Even when they acted together, there was always an invisible distance between them.
Thinking that this situation arose because of that misalignment… makes you realize the importance of making good connections with people.
‘How much time has passed…’
Alkiné, sitting listlessly in the birdcage, had such thoughts.
It hadn’t been that long since she was kidnapped and brought here.
But the psychological toll made it feel like an eternity.
“President, do you remember when we first met? Back then, I…”
“When we first entered the Rift together, unlike me who was struggling to keep up, you were leading the way and doing amazing things. It was really cool.”
“The day you appointed me as Vice President, I was so happy I stayed up all night. Did you know that?”
Maybe that’s why. At some point, she realized she was actually listening to the voice she had been trying to ignore.
But now, she didn’t feel like blocking her ears anymore.
After all, the only thing she could do right now was listen to his stories.
His ramblings were really about trivial things.
Stories about having lunch with her, or moving to the Student Council together after class.
Whatever it was, they were all stories about being with Alkiné, the Student Council President.
She vaguely knew, but it seemed clear that he had feelings for her.
‘Though the direction of those feelings is way too twisted.’
If it had been healthy affection, he wouldn’t have suddenly disappeared, and this situation would never have happened.
As if he sensed her thoughts, his stories started to take a more negative turn.
“If that cocky guy hadn’t shown up that day, we would’ve stayed happy… He ruined everything.”
“The chairman did nothing wrong. It’s all that guy’s fault.”
“The chairman just had a momentary lapse of judgment. Right?”
“Ah… But wasn’t it all fate? In the end, I gained power and got the chairman in my hands.”
It was a story spun with his own twisted interpretation. Words spoken under the assumption that only he was right.
But maybe it was because the name of the man who always exceeded expectations came up. I found myself getting interested without even realizing it.
It was a story I couldn’t help but be curious about, and my mouth, which I tried to keep shut, opened on its own. There was also a sense of resignation, as there was no hope of being quickly saved.
But that was a mistake.
“How did you get that power?”
“…Even in a state where you can’t do anything, your tone remains the same, Chairman.”
“…Ugh!”
His twisted affection began with breaking down her noble demeanor.
The unsettling aura emanating from his body enveloped hers.
Though she was merely surrounded by a cold, ominous energy, for some reason, she couldn’t move.
“I wanted to enjoy the original chairman a bit more. Seeing you act strong even in a weakened state… I can’t hold back anymore.”
“W-wait, Diggerus. What are you trying to do…?”
Diggerus’s hand slowly approached her, who couldn’t move.
His hand, which had somehow reached inside the cage, lightly touched her face.
As soon as his hand touched her, her body flinched, and her eyes trembled greatly. Diggerus chuckled softly.
“Even the chairman is scared in a situation like this, right? You’re human too, after all.”
Now I know. Because the chairman told me.
That statement revealed that he didn’t truly understand her but merely memorized information, making his apparent affection feel even colder.
No, perhaps it can’t even be called affection anymore.
“I wish the chairman would walk the same path as me.”
“What… What are you talking about, Diggerus? Calm down and let’s talk…”
“I’m going to forcibly mix my energy into your body. It might be painful for a while… but just bear with it. You’ll feel refreshed soon.”
If it were an ordinary person, they might call that twisted emotion affection.
I won’t express it.
If it’s a path like that, no matter what, life as a human should be considered over.
‘What a foolish thought.’
The idea that he didn’t seem to intend to harm me was just an illusion.
He had planned this from the very beginning.
It’s just that he didn’t realize it was an act of self-harm.
Is this the end? Just like this, so futile?
To end without being able to do anything, without receiving help from anyone.
‘If I had known it would be like this, I could have lived a little more freely.’
Perhaps because it was too sudden, it didn’t feel real. Surprisingly, she was calmly prepared to accept the end.
…That’s when it happened.
Just as she was about to close her eyes helplessly, Diggerus’s expression suddenly hardened, and he sharply turned his head.
At the end of his gaze was the only door in the room… Beyond it, faint but noisy sounds were coming through.
“…Looks like we have a guest. Didn’t expect them to come this quickly.”
A guest? The only ones who could find us this quickly would be the members of the Student Council who were exploring with us.
As that thought hit, my whole body instantly turned cold.
The moment they come through that door, what they’ll face is this man in front of me.
Diggerus, who was originally skilled enough to hold the position of vice president.
Now, as a member of the Demon Race, they wouldn’t even stand a chance against him.
“Don’t worry, President. I’ll handle it well so you can leave without any regrets.”
And… Diggerus showed not even a speck of mercy to his former comrades.
The only one he had any affection for was Alkiné.
If this continues, surely…
“No… Don’t come…”
Desperately, I tried to call out, but the noise beyond the door only grew closer.
Even though the tragedy was clear, there was nothing I could do.
And then, moments later. With a loud bang right in front of the door, the noise stopped, and the presence of something approaching could be felt.
It wasn’t the presence of multiple people.
If it were the Student Council coming, there shouldn’t be this few.
“Wait… This is…”
BANG!
By the time Diggerus noticed something was wrong, the door had already opened.
And what appeared beyond it was…
“Ahhh! Rudion! Stop pulling me closer!”
“It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose. It just happens when I move. But do I smell bad? I don’t think I’ve been sweating much.”
“That’s not the issue… Ugh, whatever.”
Rudion had vaguely thought about it, but he never actually expected it to happen.
And there was Seria, blushing slightly as she nestled in his arms.
Seeing this, Alkiné and Diggerus’s expressions changed instantly.
No matter what, Rudion held a certain significance for both of them.
Especially Alkiné’s expression was priceless.
Her face, stuck between despair and sudden hope, was probably the most dumbfounded look she’d ever had in her life.
“Ah, President! Are you okay? Nothing happened, right?”
Hearing his concerned voice, she finally snapped out of it.
And when her emotions settled a bit, what she felt wasn’t joy or relief.
“…What is this feeling?”
An inexplicable discomfort.
Every time she saw Seria in his arms, her chest ached a little.
She knew this wasn’t the time for such thoughts, but she couldn’t help the discomfort.
Did she know?
That it bore a resemblance to the emotions Diggerus harbored.
She was someone who hid and restrained herself, rarely letting her desires show.
But she was still human, just a girl with rich emotions at this age.
The attention she felt from receiving help from someone with exceptional abilities was a deeper affection than she had realized, and beneath her seemingly innocent doll collection lay a buried sense of possessiveness.
And now, with these two feelings overlapping… even if she didn’t realize it, the word “obsession” might fit.
[Affection System has been unlocked!]
[Upon reaching specific affection levels, you can obtain special rewards and exclusive stats.]
[Current Affection: 17/100]
[3 more until the next reward.]
Well… whether she realized she was becoming obsessed or not didn’t really matter.
‘Affection… level?’
Understanding her own emotions was already a daunting task for her.
