𝑀𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒

𝐘𝐎𝐔   𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄   𝐌𝐄   𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐊 

Eva had no reason to worry about him. Her comforting words sent guilt through him. He remembered her screams. How despite that he still hurt her until she broke. He felt a violent wave of nausea attack him from the sheer amount of guilt that crashed upon him. He shut his eyes and let it wash over him. It's all his fault.

He doesn't resist her attempt to steady him. He allows her to help him adjust before taking a careful step away from her. He didn't deserve to be too close. Listening to her list of tasks... He had time to write the note and then some.

"Right. I'm okay. Thanks, Eva." He takes a breath, then forces a shaky smile. "I'm gonna write the note and put it in your cage. Don't talk to whoever you had this arrangement with, okay? I'll handle it."

From there, he excused himself from the library. He returned to his room and wrote a note. It was short, simple, and to the point.

"EVA WILL BE WORKING WITH SUMINO ALL NIGHTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. HER REGULAR TASKS SHOULD NOT BE DISTURBED UNLESS DIRECTED BY SIREI OR SUMINO."

He'd just have to keep his eye on her for the time being to make sure no one approached her. He taped the note to the cage door and left.

For the rest of the day, he kept his eye on her. He found a random task to complete in each room she cleaned or organized. He drank coffee in the cafeteria. Read a book in the library. Played games in the rec room. He chatted with anyone he came across to make it less obvious. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable if that was something she was even capable of now. That was his fault too.

Finally, night fell. Takumi spent the final stretch of the day tidying up his room and making a blanket and pillow with the gift-o-matic. He planned on letting Eva sleep here to keep her safe.

When Eva finally did ring his doorbell after the night announcement, he forced a smile and opened the door.

Going against her former assignment didn’t sit too well with Sirei. When Takumi left the sign, the nosy robot immediately came in to investigate its content. “Heh…” Curiosity was shown on her face for far too long, allowing him to notice the change in emotions. “Wanna know? It says you are Sumino’s lap dog. Keeping you all to himself. How do you feel about that?” Eva blinked. Sirei chuckled, “Good. You shouldn’t care. But I do want you to do me a favor.” Nigou chimed in, watching the doorway as instructed, but loud enough for them both to hear. “Don’t be too cruel to Ms. Eva!” Sirei tapped the gate and whispered softly to Eva. All she did was nod in response.

Her day went along without any major incidents. The twins asked her to eat a strange concoction, Nozomi asked to help clean the infirmary, and Kiyoshika wanted a sparring partner; all was exactly as it needed to be. Every so often, she felt a warm, calming presence watching over her. When her tasks were egregious, that weight lifted from her shoulders, making them easier to finish. 

All of her activities made the day go by quickly. Night blanketed the skies. She looked up at the stars in longing. “What… am I searching for?” What she longed for felt farther and farther away. 

When she entered the room, her eyes glanced at every corner, wondering what needed to be cleaned or assisted with in any manner. “You’re welcome, Mr. Sumino.” Eva stood in the middle of the room. “Is that an order?” She was referring to the snacks. Though her mind was blank, her stomach stated otherwise. “As you wish.” She comfortably sat down on the couch and leaned forward to eat them. “I do not understand your order. Can you tell me what you need, Mr. Sumino? I will do anything to help kill the invaders or to advance our mission."

Blue eyes rested on Eva as she moved closer. He wasn't afraid of her hurting him. Not really. He was afraid of what would happen to her and Kamyuhn without him there to help the others see reason. For now, all he could do was bide his time. He needed a plan. One that he was hoping she would help him workshop. That hope was beginning to look rather naive.

She didn't believe him. That was to be expected. It seemed outrageous. But it was true. This was his third time coming back. This time, his desired location had been much more concrete. The day he wanted to return to. The day he allowed Sirei to put his hands on her.

"I know it seems far-fetched, but it's true. I can go back in time in short bursts in battle. But if I get enough strength, I can go back way further. This is my second time going back. The first time... Well, it ended up with that future I explained." It had been a nightmare. But now he had the chance to make things right. At least, he hoped he did. He would have preferred to go back further, to prevent any of his friends at all from dying. But with him so focused on the day Eva was brainwashed, maybe it influenced things.

Seeing her cry made him feel guilty again. He averts his gaze. She asks about Kamyuhn and... He considers lying. But that wouldn't work. They needed to have a certain level of trust to be comrades.

"She's alive." He says quietly. "But almost the entire rebellion died. Everyone here was dead. Even though I managed to take the power from the weapon in the defense room... Vehxness still went after the rebellion. And... Well, humanity started attacking again."

In truth, it had been a choice the two of them had come to together. Takumi would come back and fix things. Save Eva and his friends. Win the war and save the planet from humanity and the sovereign army.

There was a voice in the back of her head trying to break her even further. It was her sister’s voice. It rattled her, mocking her for even giving these humans a glimpse of sympathy or a tear from her pain. She could hear every form of degradation she could muster thrown at her. Eva knew she had to find a minuscule amount of trust in this human even if her sister was against the idea, because when it came to Kamyuhn’s safety, she’d endure it all. 

He also knew so much about her. So much about a daughter who led a clandestine life. Bit by bit, she was coming to believe him more. “She is?” It slipped out as a whimper. “V’ehxness.” That… came out as a growl. “My si– she never considers those around her as individuals but more as fodder for war. And, despite this, I can sympathize with her beliefs. Our land was ravaged by greedy humans. But our people shouldn’t have to pay the price. Do you even know how long we’ve been fighting your kind?!” Why does her sister always bring out the worst in her?

"Don't take that tone with me! And remember to call me mother." Even if she told Kamyuhn 100 times to call her mother, she knew Kamyuhn wouldn't. In a deep sigh, Eva pats her head. The girl's hair was a bit ruffled by her constant shaking. She took the time to brush the loose strands away from her face. "Picked on?!" Eva groaned. "Who is bullying you? I would like to speak to them... kindly."

Takumi felt sick. Cater to his needs? Given what he had just learned, he tried to reject it. But he couldn't force himself to speak. He was too busy trying to control his breathing. He gasped when she steadied his weight. He yelled at her not to touch him.

But why? Because this... this was his fault. He didn't deserve the concern or the help. He still remembered her screams. Her begging when they first captured her. Did he make the wrong call? Was it better to just kill her?

He finally found his voice when she slung his arm over her shoulder. She had no clue what he was apologizing for. She didn't even realize what horrible thing had happened to her. Takumi felt his stomach twist into a tight knot. He... He felt faint.

"No. It's not the Invaders. This is... My own fault." At the very least, Eva easily accepted his orders overwriting the previous one. He couldn't shake a sense of dread. He did not want Eva to speak to whoever did this. He didn't even want her to tell them her orders had changed. He couldn't discount the idea of this person trying to force her into it by other methods.

"I'm alright. I just got a little... dizzy. Probably because I didn't sleep last night." A half lie. But he had to compose himself. This was his responsibility. The question of WHO would come later. When they were alone.

"I'll leave a note in the cage explaining that I'll be needing you for a little bit. You're still cleaning so... I don't want you to have to stop doing that to find this person. After that, I need you to help me with some tasks around the school to prepare for battles." He was just going to bring her along for his regular prep.

"But tonight, I need you to come to my room, alright?" He felt angry. Betrayed. Guilty. A cocktail of feelings he couldn't swallow. None of it was at her, of course. It was at himself and... whoever would do such a thing.

“It isn’t your fault, Mr. Sumino.” It was a strange sentiment given how she didn’t have the faintest idea as to why he felt so sickly. The signs were all there, but they were blind to her. “Every day, we work very hard to kill the invaders. Sometimes we push ourselves beyond our limits. And that is fine. As long as we win this war, everything will be OK.” Why did it feel as though she was trying to convince herself? A trigger kept setting off in her mind. It told her that these students need to be protected at all costs. All… costs… protect.

“Understood.” Eva ducked even lower, hoping to get a good grip on his body to help him steady himself once more. “I am nearly finished here, but your safety is a priority. Please do not push yourself too hard. The others need you.” A smile settled upon her lips. There was a flavor to them that tasted ever sweeter than before.

“I have to organize the books, place the chairs underneath the tables, clean the cafeteria,” She went on and on about her current assignments, then finished with one last request, “Then I will retire to your room….” Something struck her heart. Was this a semblance of fear? Tasks shouldn’t scare her, but the last time another boy asked her to go to his room alone at night, she had to do a strange task. Her brow twitched. “Tonight.”

Of course, he upset her again. Takumi's teary eyes drifted to her. She didn't believe him so easily. Of course she didn't. He was an enemy. An invader. A threat to their very planet. The final wave of weapons meant to complete the genocide of her people. Even if, for a brief moment, he thought he had her convinced.

He wasn't good at anything but killing. Why would this be any different? He rapidly felt his resolve crack. He was carrying the hopes and dreams of so many people. But he was weak. Too weak to carry them properly. To save anyone.

"Wait I...!" He didn't have her. Eva thought it was a threat, didn't she? Or that he was lying. He blinked away his tears, trying to pick up the pieces of his heart and carry on for now.

"I don't HAVE her. I don't even know where she is right now." This was delicate. Saving Eva was important. As much as he deserved to die by her hand, she wouldn't get out of here safely without him to vouch for her.

"I would never hurt her! I..." Crap... What should he do? He stayed on the ground, at her mercy. He wasn't a threat to her or Kamyuhn. But how could he make her see that?

"I came from the future! At this point, I don't know what she's doing. I'm sure she's out there doing her best! Probably worried about you. No one else but me and you know any of this. We need to tread carefully... I know the others will come around but..." He tried not to say it, even think it. That this was enemy territory. Until he could win the others over, it was.

A weight lifted from her when he said he didn’t know Kamyuhn’s location. Even if it was a lie, for that split moment, she could see herself feeling better. The initial threat was what set her ablaze, but now it was extinguished. By no means did she believe him. On the contrary, it made her more alert. It means that she could still keep her daughter safe. She was learning more about them. Even from this conversation, she could see they, too, can feel shame, regret, and love.

As he spoke, Eva advanced, closing the space between them. When he mentioned that he came from the future, she stopped. Did he really expect her to believe such an act to be true? Even Nyewgank could only rewind time in short bursts. And their Paragon feats were blessings from God. Do these invaders also possess such godlike powers? Eva’s eyes locked onto the ground, her feet pointed inward. Begging to be released wasn’t going to work. It bought her a small amount of time. Yet, her time on this planet may be ending soon if she continues to push buttons. She’d need to think of another plan. “The future?” She bit her lip, trying to salvage any bit of empathy she could muster for him. “That is ridiculous, you know?” Eva was too honest sometimes. However, there was only one way to captivity: to do what he asked of her. “And this future…”

With tears streaming down her cheeks, she lifts her head and looks at him. “Is Kamyuhn safe there?” A lump of regret swelled her throat, and her voice trembled. The future is unknown, and such a power to see it isn’t real. So, why did she want to know if Kamyuhn was alive and well? “Is my little girl happy? If you can tell me that..” Then I can die happy. “Then I’ll do what you wish.”

memorize my coffee order, already!

quit fidgeting, you look suspicious.

stop comparing yourself, it's pointless.

give yourself a minute, [ name ]. you need rest.

don't move ... a single muscle.

can you teach me how to do that?

order room service – let's be lazy today.

pull out your ID, they card everyone here.

pack light, we'll be walking for awhile.

stop second guessing yourself.

don't say another word.

show me what you've been working on.

we're already late, can you hurry?!

we don't have time for this, [ name ].

just take the compliment, okay?

don't you dare just leave me here.

quit being so stubborn about this.

relax, i've got everything handled.

turn up the music! i love this song.

take my jacket, i'm not asking.

give me your hand, let's take a walk.

order whatever you want, it's my treat.

stop picking fights when you're tired.

meet me tonight ... our spot.

loosen up, quit being so serious all the time.

stay awake, you might have a concussion.

just let yourself be happy for once.

you have to stop sabotaging yourself.

tell me why you're really here.

drop your [ weapon / gun / knife ]!

quit trying to change the subject.

just breathe with me for a minute. in, out.

follow me and stay close.

just be yourself, [ name ]. that's all i want.

call me when you get home safe.

don't beg,  it's pathetic.

stop trying to fix everyone else's problems.

can you  [ tie / zip ]  this for me?

stop lying to me.  tell me what you did.

put that down,  you don't know what it is.

tell me what you're thinking right now.

stay quiet until i figure this out.

tell me something i don't know about you.

come dance with me.

get out of my sight.

wear the [ item ] i bought you tonight.

take my arm, those heels look dangerous.

let me drive – you can enjoy the scenery.

can you stop hovering?

wait ...! hold still, i want to take a picture.

keep your hands where i can see them.

stop pretending you know what's going on.

find a first-aid kit.  quickly!

you can't tell anyone what you saw.

take a nap, i'll wake you for dinner.

keep your voice down, they'll hear us.

don't you dare lie to me.

take the scenic route, we're not in a rush.

tell me a story from when you were little.

answer your phone when i call you.

give me your jacket, i'm freezing.

don't get yourself killed.

tell me what you see when you look at yourself.

tell me what you see when you look at me.

stop being so modest about your achievements!

leave them to me,  just go.

just admit that you love me.

just admit that you hate me.

come here,  let me look at you.

don't listen to them, they don't know what they're talking about.

[ name ],  don't make me do this.

drop your  [ weapon ].

stay here and wait for my signal.

don't just sit there,  move.

take this and run,  don't let anyone have it.

pretend you're my  [ partner / gf / bf ].

don't look , you'll give us away.

stay with me, don't drift off.

stop pretending like you care.

go make sure the coast is clear.

take this with you.  it's a good luck charm.

don't tell anyone about this.

if anybody asks about today,  lie.

stop looking at me like that.

tell me you love me.

just kiss me,  already.

talk to me in [ language ].

keep your eyes on the road.

stop crying and calm down.

give me one chance to explain.

come with me.  there's so much we could do.

wear the  [ dress / tie / item ]  i gave you tonight.

show me how you like to be touched.

hold my hand.

kiss me,  make it look real.

look at me.  how many fingers am i holding up?

[ name ] ... will you marry me?

just slow down for a minute.  what's going on?

take a deep breath,  you need to calm down.

get out of here,  [ name ]!

draw your weapon.

go rest.  i'm not asking.

take a step back.

keep your promise for once.

quit assuming you know what i'm thinking.

give me a straight answer.

be polite to our guests.

look me in the eye and say that again.

put your feelings aside for a moment.

keep close to me.

here,  let me see that.

look up at the sky.

run ... run and don't stop!

get out of here,  i don't want to see you right now.

stand up,  this isn't over yet.

close your eyes and count to ten.

keep your head down and keep moving.

[ name ],  let me past.

listen carefully to what i'm about to say.

don't just stare, come in.

stop laughing, this isn't funny.

take this and hide it from me.

don't make a sound.

the sidewalk is slippery, give me your hand.

quit causing problems everywhere you go.

just admit that you don't know what you're doing.

stop right there, i mean it.

don't say that name aloud.

just trust me, okay?

stop acting so childish.

call the police.  now.

tell me you love me, even if it's not real.

take a good hard look.

stop the car,  [ name ].

let me walk you to your [ door / car ].

almost done, just give me five more minutes!

don't make eye contact.

stay out of trouble.

let me see that beautiful smile again.

just do it already,  we've waited long enough.

hold me tight,  and never let me go.

finish what you started.

tell me what you know.

quit being so melodramatic.

just stay away from me.

turn around.  slowly.

don't be scared.

put it down before somebody gets hurt.

stop pretending , i'm tired of the pretending.

grab me my  [ item ],  will you?

don't make assumptions.

put this over it to stop the bleeding.

get to safety! i'll be right behind you!

stay the night, i hate sleeping alone.

wipe that look off your face.

keep an eye on them.

look at yourself in the mirror.