“I understand that you’re not in your right mental state right now, but still…”
Elizabeth flinched, her expression one of shock, not because of what Ken did or said but because Ken was glaring at her.
She had never seen such an expression from him.
“Seriously, don’t you have any sense?
Is dying really that fun?”
Ken started walking, his steps heavy, full of anger.
“Why are you acting like a naive little girl who hasn’t seen the world for what it truly is yet?
Why?”
Ken was taller than her, so she had to look up to meet his gaze.
She desperately wanted to look away.
He was not him, not the Ken she knew.
He was…
he was probably the real one, the real Ken, the one hiding behind the mask, the one that doesn’t want to show up.
Yet precisely because of that, she didn’t look away.
“Why do you care?
You’re the one that made me like this, you’re the reason, your…”
“Shut up,” Ken shouted, cutting her off.
“Stop blaming others for your problems.
You think you were fine before you met me, that I ruined your life.
“No, it’s the opposite.
I saved you.
Without me there would be someone else, someone who would manipulate a naive unique mana holder for their own benefit and keep using you.”
“Hahaha…”
Elizabeth couldn’t help but laugh at Ken’s ridiculous words.
“So your excuse for using me, playing with my feelings, and abandoning me is that someone else might also do that to me?
It was so ridiculous.
Did he really think she was going to buy that?
“No!” Ken shook his head.
“I don’t have to give any excuse.
I admit it, I did use you, although it’s not in the way you think, but it’s still the same thing.
But I also taught you something invaluable.
You should never put your trust in others.
That was the lesson, and you learned it well.
That’s why you are where you are right now.”
“Hahahahaha…”
This was so…
so…
“So now I should thank you for what you did? This chapter is updated first at g.com.
This is truly you, still trying to manipulate me, but unfortunately I’m not that so-called naive girl anymore.”
Looking at her, Ken’s glare slowly faded.
He put a hand on his face, rubbing it gently.
“Look, it doesn’t matter what you think about it.
I don’t care about what you feel about me either.
I know what I did, and I don’t regret it at all.
That’s not going to change, so I’d advise you to forget it too.
And let’s get back”
“I can’t forget it, even if I tried.”
Elizabeth’s voice was filled with resignation.
“But I do have a question for you.
Why did you leave so suddenly?”
Ken closed his eyes, as if contemplating.
“Do you really want the truth?” he asked.
She hesitated for a moment, but then resolve flashed in her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Because I was afraid…
afraid of you.”
She was dumbfounded and couldn’t believe her ears.
What did she…
“You were changing me.
I could feel it.
My lies were becoming the truth, and I felt like if I didn’t do anything it would be too late.
I didn’t want to change.
So I had no other choice.”
She stood there, dazed.
What was he saying?
Was he really admitting it?
That there was something real between…
She shook her head.
No, no, no.
This was a lie.
He was lying again, trying to manipulate her.
She couldn’t help but think cynically.
At least he’s right, I really don’t trust anyone anymore.
But what if he was telling the truth and he really…
Her heart beat wildly at the idea.
She looked up only to see him looking at her.
“See?
I told you.
Manipulating you is so easy.
Just some words, and look at you.”
Thundering rage filled her whole being.
Even though her magic was being suppressed by his Unique Dominance, even though she barely had any mana left, her eyes lit up with lightning.
She grabbed his collar with force, but then suddenly Ken moved closer.
His arms wrapped around her waist in a tight embrace.
She couldn’t understand what was happening.
What was he doing?
“You know, Cookies,” his voice tickled her ears, sending shivers down her spine, “I really missed you, a lot.
Especially this warmth of your body.
It’s so comfy.”
She tried to pull away, yet his arms were like a vice, not letting her go.
“Also, you’re really cute when you’re angry, you know.
I really have to give it to you though, you really grew strong, stronger than I expected.
But you still have some ways to improve.”
She had given up getting out as her mind was going blank.
What was this guy on about?
Did he think she was going to forget everything just from these words?
“I know what you need to improve.
If you improved so much because you hated me, then you need to hate me a little more.”
His arms loosened.
She took a half step back, looking down, but then she looked up, meeting his gaze.
It was only for a moment, yet it felt like an eternity, and then Ken moved.
She felt it, the familiar feeling on her lips, but it was only for a moment, and then he pulled back.
His gaze playful.
“What are you?” she wanted to ask, but he spoke before her.
“You need to hate me more.”
Again he moved forward.
Their lips met, and this time the kiss was filled with more passion.
She tried.
She tried to put all her resentment, the pain, the sorrow into her response.
She could feel her body loosen.
She was exhausted, both mentally and physically.
The last thought before she passed out was
Ken, I hate you.