Before arriving at the school, Night Zero had already briefed Empty City on many things—like how teachers got dedicated dorm rooms. So when Hamlet mentioned this location, Empty City knew roughly where to find her. After all, Night Zero had even shared her room number beforehand. Though technically, it was a girls’ dorm. But such restrictions meant nothing to Empty City. He simply leaped through an open window on the fifth floor.

Room 505. Night Zero’s room.

The hallway was deserted in the daytime, giving Empty City a perfect chance to commit a crime—er, explain himself! He knocked on 505’s door. No response.

Yet the moment he reached the door, he sensed someone inside. The presence was unmistakably Night Zero’s.

*She heard me. She’s just refusing to open the door because she knew I’d come.*

But did she really think that would stop him?

Was there any place the Heavenly Emperor—White Chrysanthemum, the man wielding the world’s strongest power, couldn’t enter?

The answer was no. Absolutely not.

"Hey! Night Zero! If you don’t come out right now, I’m breaking in! And if you still won’t show up, I’ll tell the whole dorm what underwear you wore last night!!"

His shout jolted teachers napping in nearby rooms. Doors creaked open down the hall. To pull this threat off, Empty City had resorted to a dirty trick: he’d subtly locked every other room’s door. No one could interrupt them.

*She’s easily flustered. She’ll open up soon.*

Ten seconds later—after his shout—the door cracked open.

Empty City’s expression turned dead serious. No trace of joking remained.

"...Come in..."

Night Zero stood with her arms crossed, unable to meet his eyes. Her voice was thick with tears. Faint tear tracks glistened beneath her crimson bangs.

*She... cried? All because of me?*

He stepped inside silently.

Her room was spotless, dominated by pink wallpaper plastered with pre-Apostle Invasion Hello Kitty stickers. The pink bedsheets were rumpled—likely from her just getting up. No TV. No modern gadgets. Simple. Austere.

After closing the door, Night Zero stood behind him, motionless. Her soft breaths reached his ears.

"You were crying just now?"

Silence. His frustration mounted.

He turned abruptly. She jerked her gaze to the window, hiding her vulnerability. Her lips twitched into a failed smile. Bitterness flooded her mouth.

*Why can’t I say anything? Not doubts, not accusations... nothing. Because now, I’m just his colleague.*

She wiped her face, trying to mask her tears.

But could she really hide this?

Empty City watched the girl before him—tears already streaking her cheeks, yet refusing to speak.

*So she saw everything back there.*

"Tell me," Night Zero’s voice suddenly dropped, low and heavy with resolve. Her shadowed eyes burned with resentment. This fierce version of her was new to him. She stepped closer, trembling.

*She saw the infirmary incident.*

"Which hand touched her chest? Left or right? Both, probably... How about I chop them both off?"

She glared at him, pressing close until her teeth grazed his neck. Not a vampire, yet baring her teeth like one.

*She’s not afraid of the world’s strongest man?*

Empty City sighed, feeling her tears warm against his skin.

"Night Zero."

His deep voice made her recall their prison reunion.

Back then, his tone had been magnetic, his aura dangerously alluring. But those "wall-slams"—in prison, at the inn—were just his way of teasing her, studying her.

The memory drained her strength. Her tears surged uncontrollably.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry... I didn’t want this! But every time I picture it—I can’t stop! I just can’t—"

She swiped at her tears, but they kept flowing. She stumbled backward, desperate to flee.

Her earlier act—trying to scare him away, to hide this broken self—had failed. *Blackmail? Villainy?* Impossible. She crumpled, sobbing, lunging for the door.

Empty City seized her arms.

"Night Zero, let me explain!"

"I won’t listen! I won’t! I won’t!!"

Her whine was pure wounded affection, melting any irritation.

"It’s not about this morning. It’s something far more important. For both of us."

"Eh?"

She froze. Despite herself, the words hooked her. Her damp amber eyes stared at him, wide and unblinking.

*Why do I care so much about her?*

Five years ago, he’d lost interest in everything. Five years ago, he’d drowned in despair. So why agree to that prison break?

*Why is my heart racing now?*

Was it just because, five years ago, he’d briefly seen someone else in her? Or gratitude for her years-long effort to free him?

*Do those reasons explain why I tease her? Why I worry? Why she’s always on my mind?*

No. Not really.

The truth was simpler. Rawer.

It all boiled down to three words.

Gazing into her eyes, Empty City spoke his heart:

"I like you. Night Zero."